Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday stressed the need to blend the region’s 126-year-old legacy in pisciculture with modern scientific research to transform the cold-water fisheries sector into a major economic driver.
Inaugurating a National Conference on Cold Water Fisheries at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) here, CM Omar said the Union Territory’s vast experience in trout farming, dating back to 1900, must be leveraged for national growth while adopting best practices from other regions.
“Our 126-year experience should not go to waste. We must share our knowledge and also learn what others are doing better,” CM Omar said.
The chief minister said that while J&K holds a comparative advantage in cold-water species, unlocking its full potential depends on the adoption of cutting-edge research. He called upon universities and research institutions to focus on developing new breeding techniques and sustainable farming models that can increase output without depleting natural stocks.
“Science and research have to guide us on what new techniques can be used and what kind of studies are needed so that cold-water fisheries can get a fresh boost,” he said, emphasising that the economic development and income security of local fish farmers remain the primary objective.
The conference is being attended by representatives from other hill states, including Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and the Northeastern states. Officials said the platform would facilitate the exchange of established trout farming protocols from J&K with innovations in feed technology and disease management from other regions.
The chief minister stated that with focused policy support, J&K can secure a special place in the country’s fisheries story as part of the broader Blue Revolution initiative.