ICAR-DCFR, Bhimtal organized demonstration cum training workshop on rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) for the staff of KDHP- Rajamallay Trout Hatchery, Munnar, Kerala
ICAR-DCFR, Bhimtal organized 3-days "Demonstration cum training workshop on Rainbow trout (O. mykiss) for the officers and workers of Kannan Devan Hills Plantations Co. Pvt. Ltd. at Rajamallay Trout Hatchery, an age-old trout hatchery established by Britisheres more than 100 years ago, during 6-8 February, 2019. During the training, demonstrations were given on selection of matured brooders for stripping with the checking of maturity status, anesthetizing the brooders before stripping, seed production and stripping techniques, disinfection of brooders and eggs after breeding, egg washing, removal of dead eggs and distribution of viable eggs on the incubation trays with recommended water flow rate, best management practices of the trout hatchery and race ways, water quality management, anatomy of brooders, scientific intervention on feed and feeding practices especially the first feeding of the fry with optimum frequency and rate with ICAR-DCFR supplied starter feed including health and hygiene of the rainbow trout farming. A.K. Giri, Scientist delivered lectures on 'Breeding and hatchery management of rainbow trout', 'Feed and feeding practices for fry and grow out stages including the brood stocks' and 'Improved practices for wellbeing of ova house and rearing raceways', which were again presented in Tamil language by Mr. Siva C. Six numbers of females (700-1000g weight and 43-52cm total length) and seven numbers of males (600-1100g weight and 41-53cm total length) were also dry stripped during the training workshop and produced 6000nos. of eggs with fertilization rate of only 35-40%. The low functional fecundity of the brooders with low fertilization rate of the eggs are may be due to unhealthy condition of the brooders and poor quality of the eggs. The entire activities were co-ordinated by Mr. Abhay Kumar Giri, Mr. Siva C. and Dr. Rajesh M., Scientist of this Directorate. Dr. Debajit Sarma, Director, ICAR-DCFR stated that, the Rajamallay Trout Hatchery has got tremendous potential for significant production of rainbow trout if this farm and the hatchery are being maintained with scientific inputs and this Directorate is committed to render the scientific technology for the increasing rainbow trout production in the region and the country.