The Khyber Group has launched India’s largest fully integrated recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) facility for Himalayan trout in Kashmir, with an initial annual capacity of 1500 tonnes and plans to reach 7000 tonnes within three to five years.
The RAS trout facility, located on an eight-acre site on the banks of the River Sindh in Akhal, Kangan, Ganderbal district, represents an investment of over IN₹1 billion (approximately US$11.7 million). It includes hatchery, grow-out, processing and packaging operations, with the hatchery capable of producing up to 20 million fingerlings annually.
The project uses American and Danish-bred rainbow trout ova alongside precision-controlled systems from Denmark, France and Germany. According to the company, the system is designed to increase survival rates by 25–30 percent, lower feed conversion ratios (FCR) and reduce pathogen exposure.
Processing lines use Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) technology, extending chilled shelf life to 10 days and frozen storage to six months. Precision chilling maintains water temperatures between 10°C and 14°C, with continuous oxygen injection sustaining dissolved oxygen levels of 8–12 mg/L.
The company has stated it will support more than 300 local farmers under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) and expects to generate over 3000 indirect livelihood opportunities.
Umar Tramboo, Chairman and Managing Director of Khyber Aquaculture, said: “Our cluster model is designed to integrate production, hatcheries, processing and supply chains while supporting local farmers through modern aquaculture systems and market access.”
According to IMARC Group, India’s trout market reached 4698.7 tonnes in 2025 and is projected to reach 7964.7 tonnes by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 5.86 percent.
