Fish farming on rapid increase in Herat

HERAT CITY (Pajhwok): Local agriculture officials say 20 new fish farms are being opened in near future in western Heart province, where the industry is rapidly expanding.

Abdul Saboor Rahmani, Herat agriculture, irrigation and livestock head, told Pajhwok Afghan News that the fish farming sector was expanding in the province similar to honey production.

Currently 15 fish farms are active in Herat and 20 more farms are being created in near future, he said.

“The bulk of fish is currently supplied from Salma Dam in Herat and there are also a number of private fish farms while some amount the fish is imported from Helmand province,” he said.

Based on a survey, some districts including Karakh, Enjil, Guzra, Herat and parts of Zendajan are suitable for fish farming, he said.

On the other hand, Ghulam Nabi, owner of a fish farm in Heart, said that he invested over 85,000 afghanis in his farm.

“There is an organization that provides us fish and builds pools, I also own a poultry farm, but I am interested to grow fish and our production will start soon,” he said.

Meanwhile, a number of fish sellers complain about lack of market in Herat province.

Esmatullah, a fish seller in Herat, said they sell more than 170 kilograms of fish a day  compared to selling 200 to 250 kilograms in the same period last year.

“There are different types of fish, a kilogram of big size fish is sold for 140 to 150 afghanis, small size 120 to 130 afghanis a kilogram, but people buy fish less and sheep meat more, they buy fish only for patients,” he said.

 Najibullah, another fish seller in Herat city, the provincial capital, said, “Only people who have at home patients buy fish, it has no good market here, we sell a kilogram at 125 to 130 afghanis.”

A number of fish buyers say they consume fish because it is not harmful.

Ahmad Shekib, who likes fish meat, said he consumed fish meat three times a month. “Fish meat is harmless, so I recommend it for families,” he said.

Mds/ma