The Khyber Group has commissioned what it describes as India’s largest fully integrated Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS)-based Himalayan trout farming facility in Jammu and Kashmir, marking a major investment in the country’s cold-water aquaculture sector. The project aims to establish an export-oriented trout production ecosystem by combining advanced farming technologies with local farmer participation and modern processing infrastructure.

The facility, operating under the name Khyber Aquaculture, is located on the banks of the River Sindh at Akhal in Kangan, Ganderbal district. Spread across eight acres, the project has been developed with an investment exceeding ₹100 crore and is designed to support year-round trout production through climate-controlled RAS technology that continuously recirculates and treats water to improve production efficiency while reducing freshwater consumption.

According to the company, the facility currently has an annual production capacity of 1,500 metric tonnes, which is expected to increase to 7,000 metric tonnes over the next three to five years. Its hatchery has the capacity to produce up to 20 million trout fingerlings annually, enabling the company to support both its own production requirements and wider aquaculture development in the region.

The project forms part of the Khyber Group’s broader strategy to integrate hatchery operations, fish production, processing, packaging and distribution into a single value chain. The company said the integrated model is intended to improve operational efficiency while strengthening supply chains for both domestic and international markets.

Umar Tramboo, Chairman and Managing Director of Khyber Aquaculture, said the facility represents an expansion of cold-water aquaculture in Jammu and Kashmir through a cluster-based development model.

“Our technologically superior facility is an expansion of cold-water aquaculture in Jammu and Kashmir. Our cluster model is designed to integrate production, hatcheries, processing and supply chains while supporting more than 300 local farmers under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), through modern aquaculture systems and market access,” Tramboo said.

The company stated that the initiative is expected to generate more than 3,000 indirect livelihood opportunities across the region through farming partnerships, processing activities, logistics and related support services.

Tramboo said the project required more than five years of preparation before commercial operations began.

“It has taken us over five years to be completely ready. But the wait was worth it. With this launch, we plan to revolutionise India’s aquaculture sector, introducing new standards for fish health and operational control. We want to be known as a platform for scaling trout farming with data-driven systems and localised adaptation,” he said.

Khyber Aquaculture has adopted Recirculating Aquaculture System technology to maximize water reuse while maintaining controlled production conditions throughout the year. The company said the system combines American and Danish-bred eyed ova with precision-controlled equipment sourced from Denmark, France and Germany.

According to the company, these technologies are expected to improve fish survival rates by 25% to 30%, reduce feed conversion ratios and lower pathogen exposure through controlled production environments. The facility has been designed to meet international quality and export standards.

The company operates fully integrated production, processing and packaging facilities. Fish processing incorporates hyper-hygienic cleaning systems and Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP), enabling a chilled shelf life of up to 10 days and a frozen shelf life of up to six months. These capabilities are intended to strengthen distribution across domestic markets while supporting future export operations.

Khyber Aquaculture said sustainability has been integrated into the project’s operating model through extensive water recirculation, biosecurity measures, responsible feed management, waste handling systems and continuous environmental monitoring. The RAS technology significantly reduces freshwater requirements compared with conventional aquaculture while maintaining fish health and production efficiency.

The processing facility combines Himalayan glacial water with technology sourced from Denmark, France and Sweden. The company stated that the plant incorporates Internet of Things-enabled monitoring systems, zero-waste farming practices and advanced cold-chain infrastructure designed to preserve product quality throughout transportation and storage.

The company intends to expand its presence in both domestic and international seafood markets by leveraging Kashmir’s natural cold-water environment, which is well suited for Himalayan trout cultivation. It said growing global demand for traceable, sustainably farmed premium seafood provides opportunities to develop long-term export linkages.

Industry forecasts also indicate continued growth in India’s trout sector. According to data cited by the company from IMARC Group, the Indian trout market reached 4,698.7 tonnes in 2025 and is projected to expand to 7,964.7 tonnes by 2034, representing a compound annual growth rate of 5.86% during the 2026-2034 period. The report attributes growth to rising consumer awareness of trout’s nutritional value, including its high protein and omega-3 fatty acid content, increasing domestic consumption and government initiatives promoting aquaculture as a source of rural economic development.

The launch of the Khyber Aquaculture facility represents one of the largest private investments in cold-water aquaculture in Jammu and Kashmir, reflecting increasing interest in technology-driven fish farming, sustainable production systems and integrated value chains capable of serving both domestic consumers and export markets.