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is very low in these states but recently many farmers and entrepreneur have adopted trout farming and thus
contributing to the total trout production. In the state of Arunachal Pradesh trout broodstock and seed production
is being done in two main hatcheries situated at Shergaon of west Kameng and Nuranang in Tawang district.
Shergaon has ova production capacity of 100,000. However, rainbow trout farming is yet to reach private farmers
in the state. In central Himalayan region, Uttarakhand is one of the promising states where trout farming has good
prospects.
Figure 1 Coldwater regions of India suitable for rainbow trout farming (Northwestern Himalayan region: Jammu & Kashmir,
Himachal Pradesh; Central Himalayan region: Uttarakhand; Northeastern Himalayan region: Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh; Southern
Uplands: Hill areas of Tamil Nadu and Munnar hills in Kerala)
Production status of rainbow trout in India
Trout farming has progressed steadily during last decade in India and the total trout production in the country
elevated from 147 tonnes during 2004-05 to 842 tonnes during 2015 - 2016 which is over five-fold.
Jammu &
Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim are leading states where trout farming is undertaken in both private &
public sectors. The ICAR - DCFR has been steadily working towards refinement of culture and breeding
techniques of this high value fish for the benefit of hill fish farmers.
The production in India has increased remarkably from 755.27 (2014 - 15) to 842.23 tonnes (2015 - 16), with a
growth rate of 11.51 percent
(table-1). The trout production of J&k was 265 tonnes; Himachal 417 tonnes; Sikkim
120 tonnes while other states including Uttarakhand and Arunachal Pradesh was 40 tonnes during the current year
2015 - 16 (Figure 2).
Himachal Pradesh is one of the leading states in rainbow trout farming and seed production in India. The rainbow
trout production in the state has increased from 351.27 tonnes (2014 - 15) to 417.23 tonnes (2015 - 16) leading to
18.78% growth. The state fisheries department own five trout farms and seed production unit in the state. The
largest one is located in Patlikuhal in Kullu district. At present private sector has contributed major share (96%) of
the total state trout production. Trout production Jammu and Kashmir remained almost consistent mainly due to
