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Pokhara transforming into trout farming hub

Better known as a tourist hub, Pokhara has now emerged as a centre of rainbow trout fish farming. Pokhara transforming into trout farming hub

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Shiva Sharma

Published at : August 10, 2014

Updated at : August 10, 2014 09:16

Kaski

Better known as a tourist hub, Pokhara has now emerged as a centre of rainbow trout fish farming. Due to increased demand in domestic as well as overseas markets and high profitability, many people are getting into the business.

One of the examples is a flourishing commercial trout fish farming in Sardhikhola—18 km away from the Lake city. Gandaki Rainbow Trout Farm was established four years ago by Amrit and Lakshin Gurung. The farm now exports dry trout fish to Hong Kong.

Inspired by Gandaki Rainbow Trout Farm, many others have replicated the business model in the area. Sardhikhola now has two more commercial trout farms and numbers restaurants that serve fresh trout fish.

Amid rising demand the Gurung brothers have expanded their farm on 25 ropanies in Bhujungkhola too. “We have started trout farming in 10 cement raceways in Bhujungkhola,” they said.

Their Sardhikhola farm has 25 raceway systems. “We invested Rs 40 million in the project and have been selling fish worth Rs 40 million annually.” Freshwater species such as trout catfish are commonly cultured in raceways.

This year, the farm, which has offered employment to 26 individuals, produced 14 tonnes of the fish.

Chetradeep Annapurna Trout Research and Development Centre in Chaglung village is the largest trout farm in Kaski district. The centre rears the fish in 97 raceways stretched on 128 ropanies. Three years ago, 17 youths established the farm investing Rs 40 million.

The centre produces 20 tonnes of the fish. “Besides producing fish, we are now focused on producing more and more fingerlings,” said Karna Gurung, assistant manager at the centre. “Due to suitable climatic condition and water, this area has the potential to become a centre of trout farming.”

Karna said the centre produced 900,000 fingerlings this year. Fingerlings produced in the centre are supplied to Nuwakot, Dhading, and Mustang, among other districts. However, the centre still has not been able to meet the demand growing demand.

Another trout fish farm, Machhapuchhre Agro Centre in Bhujungkhola, established one and half years ago, has been producing 10 tonnes of trout fish annually. It has 26 raceways and six ponds. “We have invested more than Rs 40 million in the project,” said Narayan Lamichanne, manager of Machhapuchhre Agro.