DC Ganderbal distributes Ice Boxes to Fishermen and Fish Farmers under JKCIP

• Also inaugurates Live Fish Vending Centre at Wussan under PMMSY

GANDERBAL: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Ganderbal, Jatin Kishore today distributed ice boxes fishermen and fish farmers of District Ganderbal at Trout Fish Farm, Mammar. The ice boxes have been given to the farmers under the Jammu and Kashmir Competitiveness Improvement Project (JKCIP) as part of sustained efforts to strengthen the fisheries sector and improve the socio-economic conditions of fishing communities.

The initiative aims to increase the shelf life of fish, reduce post-harvest losses, and ensure hygienic handling and transportation, particularly for street fish vendors. The provision of ice boxes will help beneficiaries avoid distress sales, enabling safe storage and better market access, thereby improving income realization.

Addressing the gathering, the DC said that the Fisheries department is playing a vital role in uplifting the livelihoods of traditional fishermen and fish farmers through need-based and practical interventions under JKCIP. He emphasized that post-harvest management is a critical component for enhancing incomes and ensuring sustainability in the fisheries sector.

The DC further stated that the distributed ice boxes would significantly contribute to maintaining quality and freshness of fish, ensuring that consumers receive safe, hygienic, and high-quality produce. Such initiatives, he added, benefit producers while also strengthening consumer confidence in locally produced fish.

Reiterating the government's commitment to inclusive development, the DC said focused attention is being given to vulnerable communities, with special focus in women and youth to bring them into the mainstream of economic growth. He urged the beneficiaries to make optimal use of the assets and adopt best practices in hygienic fish handling and marketing.

Assistant Director Fisheries and other officers and officials of the Fisheries department were present at the event, besides a large number of beneficiaries, including women and youth were also present on the occasion. Later, the DC inaugurated a Live Fish Vending Centre at Wussan, established under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) for the year 2025–26.

The unit has been set up at a total cost of Rs. 20 lakh, with a 40% subsidy provided under the PMMSY scheme. The Live Fish Vending Centre is a tank-based, aquarium-type facility equipped with a high-aeration system, ensuring the availability of live Rainbow Trout fish to consumers in a hygienic and scientific manner.

During the inauguration, the DC interacted with the beneficiary unit holder, Aamir, a B.Tech Engineer by profession. The beneficiary informed that he is already operating a trout fish farm at Preng, Kangan, and the Live Fish Vending Centre has been established to strengthen marketing of fish produced from his unit, as well as to provide marketing support to other trout farmers in the district. He further stated that the unit sells around 50 kilograms of live fish on a daily basis, reflecting strong market demand.