Aquaculture: Tribesmen go fishing in their backyard

Fish hatcheries, farms have brought employment to FATA, FR’s doorstep.

PESHAWAR:

For the past decade the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) have been under the limelight as operations continue against militants. At the same time, development projects, like the establishment of fisheries, remained in the background even as they provided much-needed jobs.

Like the poultry business which is taking off in Fata, fish farming is also steadily developing as is the interest of local farmers in this enterprise. Previously, the main source of seafood was Karachi. Due to the long commute, the perishable products would often not be as fresh.

The Fata Secretariat Fisheries Department initiated the development of fisheries in Fata and the Frontier Regions (FR). At least 14 hatcheries have been constituted in various dams to breed fish and help meet local demand.

So far, the Fata Secretariat Fisheries Department has created 170 farms and has trained more than 2,000 people in the required skills of the business.

The annual output from fisheries has reached up to 5,000 kilogrammes. This is expected to cross 10,000 kilogrammes in the next two years.

In Gul Rehman, a village in Jamrud, Khyber Agency where fish farms have been constructed, locals have started reeling in the benefits.

Malik Shoaib, from Jamrud, was happy that the farms not only gave locals an opportunity to get fresh fish for dinner, but have brought more opportunities for employment in their area.

The government needs to invest more in developing fish farms and, Shoaib emphasised, in digging tube wells so a larger number of people can profit.

Another resident of Jamrud, Sarmad Khan also appreciated the initiative. He believed it was such entrepreneurship which would help develop the area. When locals generate enough money to help change their economic status and eradicate poverty, the tribal areas will progress, said Sarmad.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 17^th, 2013.