The Government of India is considering a ?100-crore proposal to establish an Integrated Aqua Park in Jammu & Kashmir under Phase-II of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh (alias Lalan Singh) announced during an event at the Shalimar Convention Centre, SKUAST-Kashmir.

Highlighting key achievements, the Union Minister said that flagship schemes such as the Blue Revolution, Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF), and PMMSY have significantly transformed the fisheries ecosystem in J&K. He noted that India’s livestock and fisheries sectors serve as vital engines of rural income and nutrition security, with over 10 crore farmers relying on livestock for their livelihoods—90% of dairy animals being owned by small and marginal farmers and women comprising 70% of the dairy workforce.

The minister reported a 47% rise in J&K’s milk production from 19.50 lakh tonnes in 2014–15 to 28.74 lakh tonnes in 2023–24, with per capita milk availability reaching 413 grams per day. He also shared that trout production in the Union Territory has witnessed a remarkable 266% jump—from 650 MT in 2020–21 to 2,380 MT in 2023–24—thanks to the import of 13.4 lakh genetically improved eyed ova of Rainbow and Brown Trout from Denmark.

During a high-level review meeting at the Civil Secretariat in Srinagar, jointly chaired with the Chief Minister of J&K, Shri Omar Abdullah, the Union Minister virtually inaugurated a 50,000-litre-per-day Ultra High Temperature (UHT) milk processing plant at Satwari, Jammu.

The Minister stressed the need to unlock the full potential of J&K’s livestock and fisheries sectors through Centre–State collaboration and assured full support from the central government. He also emphasized encouraging youth to take up micro and small-scale enterprises in livestock and fisheries to drive rural employment and inclusive development.

To boost these efforts, the Centre has allocated ?852 crore under PMMSY for Himalayan and Northeastern states, including ?300 crore specifically for J&K. J&K’s annual fish production has risen from 20,000 MT in 2013–14 to 29,000 MT in 2024–25, while trout seed and carp seed production have grown significantly as well.

Recognizing the region’s potential in cold-water fisheries, the Ministry has designated Anantnag as a Cold-Water Fisheries Cluster, with Kulgam and Shopian as partner districts—focusing on integrated value-chain development.

Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to holistic rural development, sustainable livelihoods, farmer empowerment, and building a self-reliant India.