ISLAMABAD, June 17 (ABC): Gilgit-Baltistan has launched a Rs50 million trout farming project in District Ghizer to strengthen food security and support economic growth in the region.
According to official documents available with Wealth Pakistan, the Gilgit-Baltistan government is investing in fisheries, trout farming, modern agriculture and nutrition programmes to improve food and nutrition security.
Trout farming project in Ghizer
The project, titled “Ensuring Food Security and Economic Growth through Extension of Trout Farming in District Ghizer,” carries a total cost of Rs50 million.
The government has allocated Rs22.8 million for the project during the current financial year.
Officials expect the initiative to increase fish production, improve food availability and create livelihood opportunities for local communities.
Blue Revolution and agriculture initiatives
Gilgit-Baltistan is also implementing the “Targeting Blue Revolution towards Food, Nutrition and Livelihood Security through Conservation of Local Species in Gilgit-Baltistan” project.
The project has a total cost of Rs80 million. Authorities have allocated Rs2.97 million for the current year.
Another initiative, “Improving Rural Livelihood and Food Security through Modern Agricultural Techniques in District Ghizer,” has a total cost of Rs30 million. The government has earmarked Rs5.3 million for the project this year.
According to the report, these projects form part of a broader strategy to strengthen food and nutrition security through investments in fisheries and agriculture.
Nutrition programmes under way
The report also highlights several nutrition-related programmes currently under implementation in Gilgit-Baltistan.
These include the Food Fortification Programme of the Food Department, which carries a total cost of Rs99 million. The government has allocated Rs5.5 million for the programme.
The School Meal Programme for Female Primary Schools has a total cost of Rs112.7 million and a current-year allocation of Rs6.5 million.
Meanwhile, the Gilgit-Baltistan Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Programme Phase-II has a total cost of Rs72.7 million. Authorities have allocated Rs2.4 million for its implementation.
Focus on food security
Gilgit-Baltistan continues to prioritise food and nutrition security in line with its unique ecological and geographic conditions.
The region is promoting fisheries, trout farming, modern agriculture and early childhood development initiatives to improve livelihoods and strengthen food security.
The Rs50 million trout farming project in District Ghizer ranks among the key interventions supporting these goals. It aims to boost local economic activity while improving food availability across the region.
