By Saira Iqbal

 

The salmon farming industry in Nilek County of Xinjiang, China will welcome a good harvest this year, with an expected output of 6,000 tons. The salmon can not only satisfy local demand, but also be exported to Russia, Malaysia, Japan and other countries. 

 

Nilek County in Xinjiang is an ideal place for cold-water fish farming, where the Kashi River is filled with snow water from the Tianshan mountain. The water temperature there was below 10℃ all year round, which creates an excellent environment for cold water fish.

 

In 2014, seeing the advantages of cold-water fish breeding in Nilek County, Xinjiang Tianyun companydecided to construct a salmon farming base there. "All the salmon eggs imported from Denmark are incubated at the company's breeding center in Kashi River. Ourcompany has also invested in the construction of a salmon breeding base in Xinyuan County of Xinjiang,”said Wang Yuan, Chairman Assistant of Xinjiang Tianyun.

 

The salmon farming base has now developed into a complete digital industry chain with functions of research and development, breeding, intelligent farming, processing, brand building and marketing. “The company produced 3,475 tons of salmon in the year 2022, with a total revenue of 210 million yuan (about US$30 million). By 2023, the company is expected to produce 6,000 tons of salmon and generate revenue of more than 500 million yuan(about US$70 million)." Wang Yuan added.

 

Pakistan is neighboring Xinjiang with a similar climate and rich water system resources. It has excellent natural conditions to develop the inland fishing industry, whichis in the early stage of development with great potential.Xinjiang’s success in salmon farming can be a good business model for Pakistan to follow. In the next stage, Pakistan and Xinjiang can have more exchange and cooperation in this sector.

 

“China is very advanced in the inland fishery. This is a new avenue in the business sector and now, you can find many in-land fisheries in Pakistan. We need to learn from Chinese experience and expertise,” said Dr. Saeed Murtaza Hasan Andravi, director of Animal Sciences Institute at National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC). “Our scientists have been working with Chinese experts closely for the past few years and working to introduce Chinese breeding techniques and Chinese breeds to Pakistan, such as Trout. In the next stage, the machinery used in fish breeding, processingand conserving can also be introduced.”