The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Fisheries Department has launched a significant new project called the “KP Aquaculture High Potential Zones Mapping and Commercialisation Strategy Project.” This initiative is supported by technical assistance from the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and is being implemented in collaboration with the Fisheries Development Board (FDB).
The inaugural ceremony took place at the FAO office in Peshawar, where senior officials, development partners, fisheries experts, and local stakeholders gathered. During the event, Muhammad Niaz, the Additional Secretary of the Livestock, Fisheries, and Cooperatives Department, praised the technical support from FAO and the efforts of the FDB.
He emphasised that this project would help advance sustainable development goals by promoting aquaculture in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, creating job opportunities, and enhancing food security.
In her opening remarks, Ms Kayal Akmatbek, Head of the FAO Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Office, noted that this project lays the groundwork for transforming future food systems and fostering socio-economic prosperity in the province. She expressed gratitude to the Fisheries Department for its cooperation and hoped the project would be completed on schedule.
The project aims to identify high-potential zones for various types of aquaculture, including cold water (trout), semi-cold water (mahasheer and carp), and warm water species in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It will develop a cluster-based commercialisation strategy. Utilising advanced GIS-based spatial analyses, field surveys, and participatory methodologies, the project will generate actionable data to guide investments, improve market access, and strengthen the value chain for sustainable aquaculture.
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Running from September 2025 to April 2026, the project will produce detailed suitability maps for different fish species, create cluster-based commercialisation roadmaps, provide evidence-based policy recommendations, support the capacity building of local institutions, and enhance economic opportunities for aquaculture communities. This initiative aims to foster environmentally friendly and sustainable aquaculture practices in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
