Khyber Group launches India’s largest RAS-based Himalayan trout farming facility

Khyber Aquaculture to reach maximum capacity of 7000 metric tonnes for year-long trout production

Introduces new standards for fish health

To support over 1000 local farmers

Platform for trout farming with data-driven systems and localised adaptation.

Srinagar, India, 30 June 2026: Jammu & Kashmir’s leading business conglomerate, the Khyber Group, has launched Khyber Aquaculture. India’s largest, fully integrated, sustainable Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) based Himalayan trout farming facility in Kashmir, aimed at transforming the region’s trout industry into an integrated, export-oriented ecosystem by linking advanced aquaculture technology with local farming communities.

Located on the banks of the River Sindh in Akhal, Kangan, in the Ganderbal district of Kashmir. Khyber Aquaculture is spread over 8 acres and has been built with an investment of over ₹100 crore. It is a technology-driven trout farming model designed to reuse & recycle water, allowing year-round trout production in a climate-controlled environment. Khyber Aquaculture, currently with a 1500 metric ton capacity, will reach an annual production capacity of 7000 metric tons within 3 to 5 years. The hatchery of the unit is capable of producing up to 20 million fingerlings annually.

Mr Umar Tramboo, CMD, Khyber Aquaculture, “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”

With in-house production, processing and packaging units, the initiative is expected to support more than 3,000 indirect livelihood opportunities across the region.

Khyber Aquaculture combines modern aquaculture technology with local environmental conditions and clean production methods that contribute to climate-resilient fish farming in Jammu & Kashmir.

“It has taken us over 5 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,” further continued Mr Tramboo.

Khyber Aquaculture uses American and Danish – bred eyed ova (eggs) along with Danish, French and German precision-controlled systems designed to increase survival rates by 25–30%, lower feed conversion ratios (FCR), and reduce pathogen exposure. It has been designed specifically for international quality and export standards. The fully vertically integrated operation utilizes hyper-hygienic cleaning lines and Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) to achieve a 10-day chilled shelf-life and a 6-month frozen shelf-life making both Fresh/Chilled & Frozen stocks readily available from FY Q3 2025.

The unit’s precision chilling systems maintain an exact 10-14°C water temperature.

Continuous injection maintains high dissolved oxygen levels (8-12 mg/L) required by trout.

The company has adopted a comprehensive sustainability framework encompassing water recirculation, biosecurity management, responsible feed practices, waste management, and environmental monitoring. Through RAS technology, the facility significantly reduces freshwater requirements while ensuring optimal fish health and production efficiency.

As global demand for premium, traceable, and sustainably farmed seafood continues to rise, Khyber Aquaculture plans to develop strong domestic and export market linkages, leveraging the unique geographical and environmental advantages of the Kashmir Valley.

The Khyber Aquaculture processing facility blends Himalayan Glacial water with Danish, French, and Swedish technology, featuring IoT-enabled, zero-waste farming and advanced cold-chain infrastructure.

The India trout market size reached 4,698.7 Tons in 2025. IMARC Group expects the market to reach 7,964.7 Tons by 2034, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 5.86% during 2026-2034. The increasing consumer awareness of its high protein content, omega-3 fatty acids, rising consumption among individuals, and government initiatives promoting aquaculture activities to enhance the local economy represent some of the key factors driving the Indian trout market share.