Four years after devastating floods, Swat’s Trout farming industry struggles to recover

Nearly four years after the catastrophic floods of 2022 swept through Swat Valley, the region’s once-thriving trout farming industry continues to face significant challenges

SWAT: Nearly four years after the catastrophic floods of 2022 swept through Swat Valley, the region’s once-thriving trout farming industry continues to face significant challenges, with most affected farms yet to resume operations and many farmers struggling to rebuild their livelihoods.

The climate-related floods caused widespread destruction across Swat, particularly in the upper valley areas where trout farming had become a major source of income for local communities. Hundreds of fish farms were washed away, resulting in massive financial losses and disrupting an industry that had supported thousands of families while also attracting tourists from across the country.

According to local farmers, approximately 300 trout farms were destroyed during the floods. However, only a small number have managed to restart operations, largely due to financial constraints and the absence of adequate support for rehabilitation.

Naqeebullah, a trout farmer from Madyan’s Cheel Road area, said the road to recovery has been extremely difficult. His farm suffered extensive damage during the floods, forcing him to make personal sacrifices to restart the business.

“Out of nearly 300 farms that were destroyed, only around 15 are operational today, and even those are functioning on a limited scale,” he explained.

To finance the reconstruction of his farm, Naqeebullah sold a portion of his family-owned land. Despite the investment, his production capacity remains far below what it was before the disaster.

Prior to the floods, he maintained around 20,000 kilograms of trout in multiple ponds. Today, his farm consists of only four ponds with approximately 8,000 kilograms of fish stock. He said the current batch of trout is still growing and is expected to be ready for sale by the end of 2026.

Another farmer, Usman, shared a similar story of loss and recovery. The floods destroyed six of his trout farms and wiped out his entire fish stock. In an effort to revive the business, he sold a commercial property owned by his family and invested the proceeds into reopening a single farm on a modest scale.

Farm owners say a lack of financial resources remains the biggest hurdle to restoring the sector. Many are unable to construct protective embankments or invest in stronger infrastructure that could safeguard their farms from future flooding events.

The lingering fear of another natural disaster continues to discourage investment in the industry.

“Every rainy season brings uncertainty,” Naqeebullah said. “Without proper flood-protection measures, our farms remain vulnerable to the same kind of destruction we experienced in 2022.”

The industry’s recovery has also been complicated by a sharp increase in operational costs, particularly fish feed. Farmers report that several local feed manufacturers either reduced production or shut down entirely after demand collapsed following the floods.

As a result, the cost of trout feed has nearly tripled. A 25-kilogram bag that once sold for around Rs2,500 now costs close to Rs7,000. Farmers are increasingly forced to purchase feed from Punjab, adding transportation expenses to already rising production costs.

The decline in trout production has also significantly affected market prices. Before the floods, uncooked trout typically sold for between Rs800 and Rs1,100 per kilogram. Today, prices have climbed to nearly Rs2,500 per kilogram due to limited supply.

Similarly, the cost of cooked trout, a popular delicacy among tourists visiting Swat, has increased substantially. Fried trout that once sold for around Rs1,500 per kilogram now costs approximately Rs3,500 per kilogram at restaurants and roadside eateries.

Local stakeholders believe the increase in prices has reduced consumer demand and diminished one of Swat’s most popular tourist attractions. Trout fishing and dining have long been key components of the valley’s tourism economy, drawing visitors from across Pakistan.

Farmers are urging federal and provincial authorities to introduce targeted support measures, including interest-free loans, compensation packages and the construction of flood-protection infrastructure to help revive the sector.

They warn that without timely intervention, Swat risks losing a vital industry that contributes significantly to employment, tourism and the local economy.

“If meaningful support is not provided, the future of trout farming in Swat will remain uncertain,” Naqeebullah said. “Reviving this sector is essential not only for farmers but for the economic wellbeing of the entire region.”