NewKerala.com

India's First Tropical Rainbow Trout Farm Marks Aquaculture Watershed Moment

India's first commercial-scale tropical Rainbow Trout farm and research institute has been inaugurated in Telangana's Ranga Reddy district. The facility uses advanced Recirculating Aquaculture System technology to farm the cold-water species year-round in a tropical climate, challenging traditional geographic constraints. The project also functions as a live training platform to build skilled human capital in the fisheries sector. This development is part of significant government investment in the sector, with cold-water fisheries emerging as a key growth area for livelihoods in mountainous regions.

Key Points: India's First Tropical Rainbow Trout Farm Inaugurated

  • First commercial tropical RAS trout farm
  • Overturns climate constraints for aquaculture
  • Serves as training hub for youth
  • Part of Rs 38,572 crore sector investment
  • Boosts cold-water fisheries in high-altitude regions
2 min read

Rainbow trout aquaculture farm and research institute a watershed moment: Minister

Union Minister inaugurates a groundbreaking RAS-based Rainbow Trout farm in Telangana, a milestone for tropical aquaculture and fisheries sector growth.

"a watershed moment in the evolution of Indian aquaculture - Ministry of Fisheries"

New Delhi, Jan 6

The inauguration of India's first commercial-scale tropical Recirculating Aquaculture System-based Rainbow Trout Aquaculture Farm and Research Institute marks a watershed moment in the evolution of Indian aquaculture, the government has said.

Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Panchayati Raj, Rajiv Ranjan Singh, inaugurated the Smart Green Aquaculture Farm and Research Institute and the State-of-the-art Recirculatory Aquaculture System (RAS) Facility in Kandukur Mandal, Ranga Reddy District, Telangana,

The facility demonstrated that high-value cold-water species such as Rainbow Trout can be farmed year-round in tropical climates using precision engineering, controlled biological systems, and advanced water recirculation technologies.

This achievement overturned long-standing assumptions that premium aquaculture species are geographically constrained to specific climatic zones and established technology, not climate as the primary determinant of aquaculture viability, according to the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.

The project also functioned as a live training and demonstration platform, equipping youth with hands-on experience in advanced aquaculture systems, automation, and biosecurity, thereby strengthening human capital in the fisheries sector.

Over the years, there has been a significant upswing in central government investments dedicated to this sector. From the initiation of this endeavour in 2015, the cumulative investments, totalling an impressive Rs 38,572 crore, have been approved or announced across various schemes.

Cold water fisheries are rapidly gaining momentum as a dynamic and high-potential segment within the broader fisheries sector.

Driven by rising market demand for premium cold-water species, expanding domestic and export opportunities, and increasing investments in sustainable aquaculture technologies, this sub-sector is emerging as a key contributor to livelihood generation and economic growth in mountainous and high-altitude regions.

The Department of Fisheries has made significant strides in harnessing these resources through the development of rainbow trout hatcheries, which have substantially increased fish production and created local employment opportunities.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Very impressive technology. But I hope the focus on "premium" species doesn't make fish more expensive for the common person. We need to ensure local, affordable varieties like rohu and katla remain the priority for our food security.
R
Rahul R
₹38,572 crore is a huge investment. While the project seems good, I sincerely hope there is strict transparency and monitoring. We've seen funds get wasted before. The youth training part is the most valuable—skill development is key.
A
Anjali F
As someone from Uttarakhand, this is exciting! Our cold-water streams are perfect for trout. If this tech can be replicated here, it will transform the economy of our hill villages. More power to our fishermen and women! 🎣
D
David E
Working in sustainable agri-tech, I'm impressed. A Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) in a tropical setting is a major engineering feat. It shows India's R&D is world-class. The water efficiency alone is a big win for the environment.
K
Karthik V
Good step forward. But the article reads like a government press release. I'd like to see independent reports on the actual production costs, market price for the trout, and how many local youth have been trained so far. Let's see the real ground impact.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50