Uttarakhand expands Himalayan trout farming and exports

The Indian government is prioritizing the development of coldwater fisheries in the Himalayan region to enhance livelihoods and nutritional security. During a review of the Pithoragarh Coldwater Fisheries Cluster in Uttarakhand, Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary of the Department of Fisheries, emphasized the strategic importance of rainbow trout farming in states such as Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.

Uttarakhand has become the first Himalayan state to export trout to Nepal and has established a supply agreement with the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). Officials noted that the glacial streams in areas like Munsyari provide ideal conditions for transforming subsistence farming into semi-commercial enterprises.

To support this growth, the government has notified 34 fisheries clusters nationwide. Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), significant investments are being directed toward strengthening value chain infrastructure, improving market linkages, and addressing pre- and post-production gaps to ensure better pricing for local farmers.