LASHKARGAH CITY (SW) – Officials from the Directorate of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock in Helmand report a significant rise in the number of fish farms due to increased interest from local residents.
Currently, there are 3,000 fish farms established in the central of the province, Lashkargah city, including in the districts of Nad-e Ali, Marja, Naw Zad, Kajaki, Nawa, and Nahri Saraj.
Shah Mohammad Khan, the Livestock Manager of Helmand’s Agriculture Directorate, stated that 500 of these fish farms were created in the past year alone. “We have 1,200 registered standard farms, and an additional 1,800 informal farms, totaling 3,000 fish farms in Helmand,” he said.
Some fish farmers in Helmand have expressed their satisfaction with the growth of their industry and have requested the Islamic Emirate government to establish a hatchery for breeding fish fingerlings locally. Currently, fingerlings are imported from other countries.
Rahmatullah, owner of a fish farm in Lashkargah city, said, “I established this farm this year, employing around 30 people. I invested 1.8 million Afghanis and have 10,000 fish. I hope to earn a good income as I have worked very hard.”
Another fish farm owner, Abdul Ali from Nad-e Ali district, mentioned, “I source fingerlings from a farm in Lashkargah. This business is profitable, and I can raise 700 fish annually, providing a good income. I earn up to 50,000 Afghanis annually from a small farm.”
According to officials from the Fish Farmers’ Union in Helmand, a fish weighing 4.5 kilograms currently sells for up to 800 Afghanis.
The Directorate of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock in Helmand has promised to establish a hatchery on a five-jeribs plot to serve the southern region, reducing dependence on imported fingerlings.
Last year, Helmand produced 70 tons of fish meat, showing a 20-ton increase compared to 2022.
