KUPWARA: Determination of youth to set up business ventures for self-employment is tapped by the government through different beneficiary schemes. The proactive approach of the Fisheries Department to guide and facilitate youth, besides providing market facilities motivated them to invest in fish culture which is proving to be one of the lucrative and viable businesses.
General youth, especially educated unemployed ones are opting this sector as means of earning their livelihood. Today, thousands of people are directly or indirectly engaged with this business and entrepreneurship.
Kupwara, the border and hilly district of Jammu and Kashmir, bestowed with natural water resources, has a great potential for growth of Fisheries and aquaculture products.
The Department of Fisheries in Kupwara employs all possible efforts to further boost the activities both at Government level as well as in the private sector to achieve the highest mark of development in the sector. A massive impetus on the aquaculture in the district has been seen due to centrally sponsored schemes including Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojna (PMMSY) which aims to achieve the target results through sustained and focused activities.
During the last five years, the fish production of the district increased manifold with 9738 quintals production achieved during 2020-21. Assistant Director, Department of fisheries, Kupwara Unit details that during the last 9 months of current financial year recorded 8972 quintals of production while the trout production is expected to touch 200 quintals in March, 2022.
The inclination towards fish culture among the locals in Kupwara is overwhelming as the concerned department saw registration of 711 fishermen while the number of fish farmers touches to 106. In the district, this sector provides livelihood to 817 families consisting of 5000 souls.
For the economic welfare of people involved in the fisheries industry, an amount of Rs.104.39 has been spent by the Department of fisheries , Kupwara during the current financial year by the concerned department which includes financial assistance of Rs 78 lakh to 60 fishermen for construction of their residential houses, while as Rs.26.39 lakh have been provided to 14 unemployed youth as financial assistance for establishment of their own Fish Units.
Likewise, during 2020-21 financial year, Rs. 116.59 lakh were provided as financial assistance to 76 beneficiaries for construction of residential houses while 11 persons were also provided financial assistance for construction of fish ponds under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme PMMSY.

Press Trust of India