The History of Rainbow Trout Aquaculture in India: Policies for Making a Footprint Toward Atma Nirbhar Bharat

The hill region in India comprises vast area and entirely different eco-geographical entity. The majority of the land in states like Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and a few others is characterized by mountainous terrain. Due to intricate microclimatic conditions and thermal limitations, fish production in these upland regions is notably limited. In the absence of suitable native cultivable species for the region, exotic rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) is most important species performing excellently in culture practices in the region. Keeping the multiple cultivable attributes in view, attempts for trout introduction and culture in the upland states of the country has been initiated since 1863. At present above 35 trout hatcheries of different sizes and capacity have been established in the states of Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Meghalaya, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu in our country. The hatcheries have an estimated eyed ova production capacity of 15 million, and the estimated trout production was over 1500 tons. Horizontal and vertical expansion of trout farming in suitable hilly areas through conventional raceways, recirculatory aquaculture system, and related intensive practices are the potential areas for boosting trout production under Atma Nirbhar Bharat.