Azeem Ahmed Khan

The Punjab Fisheries Department has launched a project under the Chief Minister Punjab Initiatives Program to ensure a steady supply of Pangasius fish seed. The project is expected to reduce the country's reliance on imported fillets and save foreign exchange.

Talking with WealthPK, Dr. Sikander Hayat, Director General of Fisheries, Punjab, said Pangasius was a freshwater fish that could be easily farmed in Pakistan, eliminating the need for imports from Vietnam and other countries. “Punjab has huge freshwater resources for its breeding and rearing. By producing its seed (baby fish) locally, we can support the fish farmers and meet the domestic demand,” he said.

Renowned for its boneless fillets, Pangasius fish is a preferred choice for weddings and hotel cuisine. Currently, its seed is imported or produced in limited numbers in local hatcheries due to the lack of artificial breeding and rearing technology, he said. The farmers face challenges in breeding because the locally produced fry have a low survival rate due to the lack of technique to develop live feed, Dr. Sikander explained.

To tackle this issue, the Punjab government has decided to hire an international expert to provide hands-on training in artificial breeding and live feed production, he said. “Without proper live feed, the fish do not survive and hatcheries fail to produce enough seed," he added. Pangasius, native to Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia, requires specific breeding conditions, said Dr Sikander. To address these challenges, the Fisheries Department has identified two locations - Dera Ghazi Khan and Lahore - for hatchery development, he added.

"We are in the final stages of hiring an international expert. This expert will assist in artificial breeding and train the local farmers in advanced feeding techniques to improve the survival rates," Dr. Sikander said. “Pangasius is a high-value fish, offering boneless fillets with far fewer bones than the commonly farmed species like Rohu and other carps. Once we establish a consistent local supply, we can significantly reduce imports and strengthen the domestic aquaculture industry," Dr. Sikander noted.

Addressing concerns about Punjab's harsh winter conditions, he disclosed that greenhouses will be used to protect the fish. “As the temperatures rise in March-April, we will stock Pangasius fingerlings into production ponds, where they will be ready for harvest in November and December, coinciding with peak demand," he added.

Credit: INP-WealthPk