Srinagar, March 15 -- Lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday said Jammu and Kashmir has potential for integrated fisheries development, which can generatejobs and boost fish farmers' income. "J&K holds promise as a national model for integrated fisheries development. The value-chain approach will generate jobs, cut post-harvest losses, and boost fish farmers' incomes," Sinha said, while addressing the National Conference on Cold Water Fisheries, organised by the Department of Fisheries here. Union minister for fisheries, animal husbandry & dairying (MoFAHD) and Panchayati Raj, Rajiv Ranjan Singh, was present at the event. Sinha highlighted the remarkable surge in fish production in the Union territory and infrastructure upgrades since 2020, reaffirming the administration's resolve to empower fish farmers. "Our strategic initiatives have positioned J&K as the leader in trout production across all cold-water states. Under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), launched in 2022, Rs.233 crore was allocated for fisheries to incentivise entrepreneurship, establish hatcheries, trout farming & value-added ventures," he said. The lieutenant governor said that over recent years, fish production and related infrastructure have seen substantial growth. "Trout output rose from 1,663 tons in FY 2021-22 to a record 2,650 tons in 2024-25. Private sector trout units increased from 936 to 1,649; hatcheries from 1 to 9; trout feed mills from 'zero' to 6 by 2024; RAS units from 2 to 9; and biofloc units from 10 to 59," he said....