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A trout fish farm severely damaged by the catastrophic floods of 2022 is being partially reconstructed by its owner to restart operations. Climate-induced disasters have dealt a severe blow to trout fish farming in Pakistan. Credit: Adeel Saeed/IPSPESHAWAR, Pakistan, Feb 11 (IPS) - Pakistan’s once-thriving trout fish farming industry, a vital source of livelihood for communities in the country’s mountainous northern region, is now on the verge of collapse due to the devastating impacts of climate change.
Rising temperatures, glacial melt, erratic rainfall, and catastrophic floods have dealt a severe blow to this promising sector, leaving farm owners and laborers struggling to recover.
The devastating floods of 2022 wreaked havoc on hundreds of trout fish farms, particularly in the Hindu Kush mountain range of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Since trout is reared in cold glacial water, the majority of the fish farms are located in mountainous districts of Pakistan’s north, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Gilgit Baltistan region.
Critical infrastructure was destroyed, fish stocks were wiped out and farm owners were forced to abandon their livelihoods. Many migrated to the plains in search of alternative income sources, leaving behind a once-booming industry in shambles.
Usman Ali Swati, General Secretary of the Swat Fish Farms Association, shared his heartbreaking story.
"I owned seven trout fish farms, established over 30 years with an investment of approximately PKR 350 million (USD 1.258 million)," Usman told IPS.
“These farms were not just a business but a testament to years of hard work and dedication. The floods swept away everything, leaving me in the same financial position I was in in 1992 when I started this venture,” he lamented.
A History of Losses and Resilience
This is not the first time the industry has faced such devastation. Similar floods in 2010 caused massive losses, but international donor organizations stepped in to help revive the sector.
However, after the 2022 floods, no such assistance has been provided, leaving farm owners to fend for themselves.
Usman, a father of nine, managed to restart one of his seven farms by selling a shop to raise PKR 25 million (USD 89,928).
“I’m deeply concerned about the future of my business. Climate-induced disasters are becoming unpredictable, making it nearly impossible to plan and sustain operations. But trout farming is my expertise, and I have no other option,” he said.
Stories of Struggle and Migration
Naqeeb Ullah Mian, a government employee, quit his job and ventured into trout farming in 2020 with an investment of PKR 20 million (USD 71,942).
By 2022, he had grown a successful stock of mature fish and also secured an order worth PKR 8 million (USD 28,776) with a delivery commitment in September 2022.
However, in a devastating turn of events at the end of August 2022, a ferocious flood ravaged the Swat Valley, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
The entire fish stock was swept away, and the farm’s infrastructure was severely damaged, dealing a significant blow to his assets and livelihood.
“I’m trying to sell a piece of land to partially reopen my farm. I quit my job for this venture and now have no choice but to continue despite risks associated with this business,” Naqeeb told IPS.
The devastation has forced many others to migrate. Amjad Ali, a technical laborer, moved to Saudi Arabia to support his family after months of waiting for his employer’s farm to reopen.
Liaqat, another former farm employee, shared a similar story of migration. He was not happy over living away from his family and wished for the reopening of the destroyed farm to resume work in his native area.
Even Usman Ali Swati is considering moving to Canada, citing the constant threat of climate-induced disasters as a reason to leave the business behind.
A Grim Reality for the Industry
Gohar Sidiq, an official from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), described the situation as grim during his visit to Swat Valley.
“The majority of farms are in ruins, reflecting the ferocity of the damage caused by climate change,” he said.
Ameen Ullah, President of the All Trout Fish Farms Association Swat, revealed that out of 300 fish farms in Swat, 229 were destroyed, rendering thousands jobless.
“Many farm owners and laborers have migrated to other parts of the country or abroad to repay business loans and support their families,” he claimed.
Economic and Environmental Challenges
Zubair Ali, Director of Fisheries in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, highlighted the economic and environmental challenges facing the industry.
The disastrous flood of 2022 inflicted massive losses on the fisheries sector of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by destroying 375 farms, including 229 in Swat, Zubair Ali told IPS.
“Floods also damaged several farms in GB but the loss was not so colossal as was recorded in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province,” says Ghulam Mohiuddin, Director Fisheries Gilgit Baltistan.
The accumulative financial loss of the disaster on the fisheries sector was estimated at around PKR 2.58 billion (USD 9,280,574), far exceeding the capacity of farm owners to rebuild farms, Zubair added.
Before floods, trout fish farming was booming, with prices dropping to PKR 800 (USD 2.877) per kg due to excessive production.
However, post-flood shortages have driven prices up to PKR 3,500 (USD 12.58) per kg, widening the gap between demand and supply.
The annual trout fish production in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa slashed from 1,100 metric tons to 750 metric tons, he added.
Zubair also pointed to climate change as a factor affecting trout reproduction.
“Trout fish breed in cold weather, typically from November to December. However, the duration of cold weather has shortened, leading to fewer eggs being laid. Reduced rainfall has also caused water shortages in hatcheries, further impacting reproduction,” he explained.
A Bleak Future
The future of trout fish farming in Pakistan looks uncertain. Despite promises from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to assess damages through the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), no concrete steps have been taken.
International donor organizations, which aided recovery after the 2010 floods, have also remained silent this time, leaving the industry in a state of despair.
“The 2022 floods have not only devastated farms but also shattered the will and hopes of owners,” Zubair observed.
The majority of them are hesitant about making fresh investments with fear in mind of another flood and destruction in the upcoming monsoon season.
“With climate change-induced disasters becoming more frequent and severe, the survival of Pakistan’s trout fish farming industry hangs in the balance,” he said.
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© Inter Press Service (2025) — All Rights ReservedOriginal source: Inter Press Service
