Minister of State for Forest, Environment, Animal & Sheep Husbandry, Fisheries and Cooperative, Mir Zahoor Ahmad today visited Trout Culture Farm Harwan and Laribal and took stock of fish units.
During his inspection to Laribal Trout Farm, the Minister was informed that the Trouts are fed with the highly developed hygienic balanced diet produced by the Department at Kokernag, Manasbal and at Harwan. He was also informed that the Manasbal Feed Mill produces extension type feed having protein content of 40 to 50 percent depending upon the various stages of trout. The main component ingredient in fish feed is fishmeal which is being procured from Maagaloe and being produced from trout fish.
The Minister was informed that one-third of the world fish catch is being utilized for fishmeal.
Taking stock of Hatchery, the Minister was informed that Egg production of rainbow trout is 7 lakh and seed production is 3.5 lakh , out of which 50,000 has been stocked in the Shopian stream. He was also informed that Brown Trout Egg production is 8 Lakh and Fry production is 6.5 lakh which has been stocked in the streams of Kashmir Division and the water bodies of Kishtwar and Ramban districts and asked to strengthen the stocks for angling purpose.
On the occasion, the Minister was also informed that the Chief Production Officer, Gagribal has earned revenue of Rs 30 Lakh and total Trout Production is 50 quintals during 2016-2017. The Minister appreciated Chief Project Officer, Gagribal for his strenuous efforts in increasing the production of trout seed and revenue in term of sale of trout. He was also informed that Refrigerator Mobile Vans is available in Srinagar City at different places. He was also informed that the Mobile Van was pressed into service on the demand of the people.
The Minister directed the concerned to construct Special Sale Outlets in different parts of the Srinagar city including Harwan.
While inspecting Feed Mill at Harwan, Mir Zahoor directed the officers to conduct Protein Content Tests of raw material which are used in preparation of fish feed from SKAUST Kashmir. He said proper sampling of raw material is must for checking quality of the fish meal.
Interacting with the Management of department, the Minister assured the officers that there is no shortage of funds but asked the Officers to submit proposals for up gradation of Laribal Trout Farm and Marketing Division Harwan. He said it is one of the oldest Farms of the department and has huge source of cold water and can generate good revenue. Mir Zahoor also directed them to work with utmost dedication and ensure increase in fish production.
Responding to the demand of providing water from Dachigam Nallah, the Minister directed them to prepare comprehensive project report and submit the same to the concerned quarter so that the same could be taken up with the Public Health Engineering Department for further course of action.
Senior Officers of Fisheries department including Joint Director accompanied the Minister during his tour.

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