Himachal imports genetically modified Rainbow Trout Seed from Denmark, Virender Kanwar
Himachal Pradesh Fisheries Department will import around 8 lakh genetically modified species of Salmo troutta fario (Brown Trout) and Oncorhynchus mykiss(Rainbow Trout) eyed ova (5 Lakh Rainbow Trout and 3Lakh Brown Trout) from Denmark during current financial year to replenish the old trout bloodstock of the state department farms said Fisheries Minister Virender Kanwar .
The state govt has imported 18.00 lakh genetically modified eyed ova from Denmark in the year 2018-19 to 2020-21 to boost fish production in the state in order to meet growing demand of fish in Indian Markets .
First consignment of 3.00 Lakh Rainbow Trout ova was imported on 10.02.2020 which was implemented successfully for broodstock production in the state.
Total 18.00 Lakh (15 lakh Rainbow Trout and 3 Lakh Brown Trout) improved eyed ova were imported from Denmark during the last two years. The state govt imported 10.00 lakh Rainbow Trout eyed ova during the year 2019-2020 while 5.00 Rainbow Trout and 3.00 lakhs Brown Trout eyed Ova was imported from Denmark during the year 2020-2021.
The genetically modified imported eye ova seed is being reared at Trout Farm Hamni & Batahar, (Distt. Kullu), Barot (Distt. Mandi), Thalla (Distt. Chamba), Dhamwari (Distt. Shimla) and Sangla (Distt. Kinnaur) in the state . These imported eyed ova are reared upto fingerling stage at fish farms and then distributed to trout growers for farming. Some stock is kept in departmental trout farms to prepare brooders for breeding purpose said Fisheries Minister Virender Kanwar .
With the import, the fisheries department has been successful in raising table size trout fish in Cages at Koldam (Bilaspur) in just 8 months which under conventional system of trout raceways in Coldwater regions take approximately 1 year.
The department has been successful in rearing trout fish in cages in Govind Sagar Dam for the first time in the year 2018-19 and the department has reared around 8 tonnes trout fish valuing around 72.00 lakhs in cages in Govind Sagar Dam during the year 2021-22.
The state is also investing funds to develop fisheries infrastructure in the state, under which the department has spent around Rs 90 crore from the year 2017-18 upto year 2020-21 on construction of the hatchery, pond development ,trout units etc in the state .
Total 32 trout hatcheries i.e Kullu (9) Mandi (9) Kangra (2), Chamba (5)Shimla (2) Kinnaur (3) and Sirmour(2) have been set up with initial investment of Rs 875 lakh rupees under various Centrally Sponsored Schemes in private sector till date in the state to meet growing demand of trout eyed ova within the state said Fisheries Minister Virender Kanwar .
During the year 2021-22 five more trout hatcheries would be set up in Sirmour, Chamba, Kinnaur, Shimla and Mandi District. with initial investment of Rs. 2.50 crore ( subsidy 140 lakhs ) to augment trout ova/ egg productions
The state has huge resources of fresh water that is favorable for rainbow trout farming. Looking at this we have decided to tap this. We believe that our fish demand can be met, if we utilize our resources and plan properly.
Our department is also creating awareness in the state and helping youth know the benefits of trout fish farming. Other than this, we will also provide the marketing support to the aspiring entrepreneurs besides seeds and feed on subsidy to them so that they can successfully run fish rearing ventures,
This import will also help the state to meet a target of approximately 1200 tons in the next five years – a far cry from the approx 700 tons it is producing today said Fisheries Minister Virender Kanwar.
The trout is sold within state and out of the State at Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab and Haryana said Virender Kanwar Minister for Animal Husbandry and Fisheries .
