By: Umaisar Gull Ganie
Srinagar, Oct 13: For the last few years fish farming has emerged as an interesting means of livelihood in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir as hundreds of people are directly or indirectly connected with fish culture here. However, the farmers have been suffering huge losses due to the lack of insurance policy.
Fish farmers from different areas told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that they are suffering huge losses due to lack of insurance policy, which is already implemented in other states of India.
Abdul Salam, a fish farmer, said, “A tragedy struck a family in Anantnag as they lost fish stock for around one year after some unknown persons had cut—off the water to their farm due to which all the fish died.”
“Due to lack of fisheries policy in Jammu and Kashmir, the victim did not start his fish farm again and he was not having any other source of livelihood,” he said.
Salam said the government should implement the policy in Jammu and Kashmir as well so that the fish farmers won’t face any hardships after any eventuality.
Talking to KNO, Irshad Ahmed Shah, Director Fisheries J&K, said, “Regarding the fisheries insurance policy, we are working on it. A meeting was held today with Bajaj Alliance in this regard. We have tipped with Bajaj Alliance after 10-15 days, all the private fish farmers will be covered under insurance policy.”
“We are setting up guidelines, what terms and conditions should be in the policy as we are also aware the farmers are suffering because of lack of insurance policy,” he said and informed that this year, the fish production is 20-25% higher than previous year.
Official figures accessed by KNO states that the fish production J&K in 2018-2019 was 21.06 thousand tons, in the year 2019-2020 it was 21.35 thousand tons while in 2020-2021 it was 21.35 thousand tons.
“The financial year 2021-2022 has shown an increase in fish production, which is at 25.40 thousand tons”, figures reveal.
As per figures the trout fish production is less as compared to carp/local. “During the year 2108-2019, the trout fish production was 0.598 thousand ton while local fish production was 20.462 thousand tons, in year 2019-2020, the production was 0.650 thousand ton and local fish production was 20.70 thousand tons and in year 2020-2021 the production of trout stands with 0.650 thousand ton while as local commonly known as carp was 20.70 thousand tons.
“In the financial year 2021-2022, the fish production of trout is at 1.663 thousand ton while as carp fish production is 23.737 thousand tones,” the figures state—(KNO)
