Despite the increasing fish farming business in the country, Bhutan still imports tonnes of fish to meet the demand. And as per the National Statistics Bureau, the price of fish also rose by more than 21 per cent this year. Aimed at reducing the import of fish and meeting the demand from local farms, the National Research Centre for Riverine and Lake Fisheries in Haa started rearing Trout in 2015. However, even after six years, the centre is struggling to meet the demand.
In 2011, the National Research Centre for Riverine and Lake Fisheries in Haa started research on the species of fish that has high productivity in cold places. The centre found that trout, among others, gives more yield.
Today, the Department of Livestock in Haa produces about two tonnes of fish every week and supplies in Haa, Paro, and Thimphu. However, it is far less than the demand.
“We are not able to supply the fish across the country mainly because we don’t have enough private farms. It has been just about six years since we began and we still need a lot of private trout farms,” said Singye Tshering, the Programme Director of the centre.
According to the centre, trout farming hasn’t progressed much due to religious sentiments. However, the centre is trying to promote Trout farming through various business models.
To encourage more private farms, Singye Tshering said they will provide financial support to interested individuals to construct fish ponds and also provide fish Roe and feed for about a year.
The centre imports fish egg from Denmark and produce fingerlings at the farm. The fingerlings are then supplied to the department of livestock which then rears the fish for consumption.
Of about 75 fish farms in the country, only three in Haa and one in Paro rear trout.
The National Research Centre for Riverine and Lake Fisheries in Haa was established in 2005 to promote and develop cold water fishery resources in Northern and Central Bhutan.
Chhimi Dorji, Haa
Edited by Chayku
