Trout turn tides in Bageshwar's rural economy

Time of India

a day ago

Bageshwar: Farmers in Bageshwar district's remote hillside villages who were once reliant solely on traditional agriculture, have significantly improved their livelihoods through trout farming, marking a shift in the region's rural economy.
As part of the state govt's push for commercial farming, a cluster-based trout cultivation initiative now spans 10 villages in Kapkot block, including Jagthana, Leeti, and Baghar. Currently, 15 local cooperative societies support over 165 individuals engaged in trout farming. The programme has become a steady source of income and an example of effective implementation of govt's initiatives.
Jagthana village stands out for its performance, where residents like Chandar Danu credit trout farming for their improved standard of living.
"Farming alone wasn't enough to sustain our family. Since we started trout farming, covering household expenses and our children's education has become easier. We no longer feel the need to migrate," he said.
District fisheries officer Manoj Miyan noted that trout, which is valued both for its nutritional content and high market demand, sells for around Rs 450 per kg, offering farmers a stable annual income. Cultivation takes place in cold-water ponds.
Since Oct 2024, farmers have supplied one quintal weekly to the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), ensuring a consistent buyer and addressing earlier sales challenges.
"This is not just a livelihood project. It's a rural economic revival," said Sher Singh of Baghar. "We never imagined we could earn this much while living in the mountains. Every morning now begins with hope by the fish ponds." Trout production in the district has grown from 30 to 40 quintals annually to around 60 quintals.
The success of the initiative has drawn attention from the state govt. During a recent visit to the district, finance secretary Dilip Jawalkar praised the effort and announced a Rs 200 crore trout development plan, to be funded by National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), which is expected to benefit Bageshwar significantly.
Rainbow Trout, from the Salmonidae family, thrives in the cold Himalayan climate and is cultivated mainly in Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Sikkim.
Its growing popularity as a protein-rich, low-fat food keeps its market price between Rs 400-600 per kg.
The rise of trout farming in Bageshwar is not only strengthening the local economy but also generating youth employment, improving nutrition, and promoting sustainable rural development. What began as a modest livelihood programme has become a symbol of self-reliance in the hills.