Impact of My Work in Trout Prothsahan Yojna

Scheme Name: Trout Prothsahan Yojna (Under FIDF scheme)

• Department/Directorate: Department of Fisheries, Uttarakhand
• Year of launch: FY 2025-26
• Government Order/Approval reference: 163/xv-3/2025-08(13)20254-E-FILE No 80654 dated 20-03-2025
• Geographical coverage: Uttarakhand (11 Hilly district of State)
• Status: Ongoing

Problem Addressed and Objective

·          To enhance trout fish production by developing trout farming units.

·          To construct trout seed production units to meet growing seed demand.

·          To generate employment opportunities in hilly areas.

·   Availability of protein rich fish source.

Scheme Design and Key Interventions

Target beneficiaries/Eligibility

(i) Fishers

(ii) Fish farmers

(iii) Fish workers and Fish vendors

(iv) Fisheries Development corporations

(v) Self Help Groups (SHGs)/Joint Liability Groups (JLGs) in fisheries sector

(vi) Fisheries cooperatives

(vii) Fisheries Federations

(viii) Entrepreneurs and private firms

(ix) Fish Farmers Producer Organizations/Companies (FFPOs/Cs)

(x) SCs/STs/Women

Institutional partners:

(i) District Fisheries Departments

(ii) NABARD

(iii) PNB/NPCI/RBI/ITDA (for CBDC based subsidy transfer)

Assistance

FIDF Rs. 133 crore; State share Rs.13 crore .

Subsidy

Integrated Raceway  Unit / Hatchery Unit– All category beneficiaries- 70%  of unit cost

Icebox, flex machine and deep freezer / Input - All category beneficiaries- 100%  of unit cost

Service provided

Fish production and value chain development projects

Delivery mechanism

·   The farmer submits the application along with all required documents through Apuni Sarkar Portal.

· Portal registers the application and forwards it to the concerned Assistant Director of Fisheries (ADF) Office.

· The concerned ADF Office scrutinizes the application and forwards it to the Block In-charge through Portal for field survey.

· The Block In-charge conducts the site survey, assesses the feasibility of the proposed activity, and submits the feasibility report to the ADF Office through Portal.

·  Based on the survey report, and as per scheme guidelines, the ADF Office approves or rejects the application.

·  In case of approval, the Approval Certificate is generated through Portal.

· The farmer receives the Approval Certificate through Portal.

·   The subsidy is transferred in the form e-rupee (CBDC module)

Innovative Feature:

The scheme is implemented through CBDC module of subsidy transfer to beneficiaries.

Financial Outlay and Expenditure

·   Total Project Cost: Rs. 177.00 Crore

·   FIDF Loan sanctioned: Rs. 133.00 Crore

·   State Share sanctioned: Rs. 13.00 Crore

·   Funds Released: FY 2025-26/2026-27- Rs. 29.67 Crore

·   Expenditure Incurred : FY 2025-26/2026-27- Rs. 11.95 Crore

·  Fund Utilization: 40%

Physical Outputs

Project-wise status (2026-27):

Total Beneficiary : 187

Employment and Livelihoods Generated

·   Direct Employment: 357

·   Indirect Employment:  1050

·   Total Employment: 1407

Ground-Level Outcomes and Impact

The subsidy transfer mechanism through CBDC has made benefit delivery more transparent, efficient and accountable.

Implementation Challenges and Corrective Action

The Department of Fisheries has introduced a pioneering, technology-driven initiative by implementing the Trout Prohtsahan Yojna through the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) mode. This initiative sets new benchmarks in transparency, efficiency, and accountability in subsidy delivery.

Present Status and Way Forward

Implementation of 184 integrated raceway units, 32 mini-hatcheries, 184 Cold storage equipments /machineries are under progress. It is target to complete all ongoing works by September 2026. Next physical and financial targets will be allocated in October 2026.

Success Stories of Trout Prothsahan Yojna

I.         Implementation of ‘Trout Prohtsahan Yojna’ through CBDC Mode

• Trout Farming in Uttarakhand

Trout farming is steadily emerging as a key livelihood activity in Uttarakhand, particularly in the state’s hilly and remote regions. The sector is currently providing direct livelihood support to around 300 farmer families, while also creating significant opportunities across the value chain.

With targeted interventions from both the Central and State Governments, trout production in the state has witnessed remarkable growth from 148.11 metric tonnes in 2020–21 to 711 metric tonnes in 2024–25. This represents an impressive CAGR of approximately 48%, highlighting the rapid expansion and increasing importance of the sector.

Over the years, substantial infrastructure has been developed to support this growth, including approximately 2,500 trout raceways, 10 hatcheries, and one brood bank. To strengthen post-harvest management and market access, 10 refrigerated vans (reefers) have been deployed for cold chain logistics and 5 processing plants are in the pipeline to further enhance post-harvest facilities.

On the marketing front, the state has established strategic tie-ups with institutions such as ITBP) and SSB, along with premium hotels. Branding and market positioning efforts are being carried out under the “Uttarafish” initiative, helping to create a distinct identity for trout from Uttarakhand.

• Launch of Trout Prohtsahan Yojna and its Digital Implementation

The Department of Fisheries has introduced a pioneering, technology-driven initiative by implementing the Trout Prohtsahan Yojna through the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) mode. This initiative sets new benchmarks in transparency, efficiency, and accountability in subsidy delivery

Launched in 2025–26 with a total outlay of Rs. 170 crore, the scheme aims to promote trout farming as a sustainable and high-value livelihood, especially in remote and hilly regions.

Key Targets (2025–26 to 2028–29):

• 1,500 Trout Raceways
• 100 Mini Trout Hatcheries
• 600 Cold Storage Facilities
• Direct support to 600 beneficiaries

• Digital Implementation Framework

The scheme follows a fully digital, end-to-end process:

• Applications submitted via Apuni Sarkar Portal
• Multi-level verification at block & district levels
• Transparent beneficiary selection

The verified data is integrated with a CBDC platform developed in collaboration with Punjab National Bank, ensuring seamless processing.

• CBDC-Based Subsidy Delivery (Innovation)

This is the first initiative in the fisheries sector to use CBDC for subsidy transfer.

Key Features:

• Subsidy transferred as programmable digital tokens
• Credited directly into beneficiary CBDC wallets
• Usable only for approved purchases from authorized vendors

• Phased Subsidy Release Mechanism

Subsidy is released in phases (30:30:40), linked with physical progress:

• Promotes timely execution
• Enables real-time monitoring
• Strengthens accountability

• Impact Achieved (2025–26)

• Rs. 6.42 crore subsidy disbursed via CBDC
• 171 Trout Raceways developed
• 30 Mini Hatcheries established

This demonstrates the efficiency and scalability of the CBDC-based model.

• Outcome & Way Forward

This initiative represents a shift towards smart governance in fisheries, ensuring:

• Efficient utilization of public funds
• Empowerment of farmers
• Growth of trout farming ecosystem

II. Implementation of Fish Crop & Infrastructure Loss Insurance

• Challenges in Fish Farming

Fish farming in the state’s ecologically sensitive regions is often exposed to significant risks due to natural disasters such as cloudbursts and sudden fluctuations in water quality. These events frequently result in partial or complete losses of fish stock and infrastructure, discouraging farmers from continuing fish farming activities in the absence of any financial safety mechanism.

Fig. Affected farmers versus anticipated losses during 2024 & 2025

• Need for Insurance Intervention

To address this critical challenge, the State Fisheries Department, in collaboration with United India Insurance Company Ltd., has introduced a comprehensive fisheries insurance product. This unique initiative provides end-to-end protection, covering both fish stock and production infrastructure against losses caused by natural calamities and other unforeseen events.

• Affordable & Inclusive Premium Structure

A key strength of the scheme is the financial support extended by the State Government under the Mukhya Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojna:

• 90% premium paid by Government
• 10% contribution by beneficiary

This ensures the scheme remains affordable and accessible, especially for small and marginal fish farmers.

• Coverage & Risk Protection

The insurance provides coverage against a wide range of risks, including:

• Diseases and water pollution
• Floods and cloudbursts
• Natural disasters
• Accidental and malicious damages

By ensuring timely compensation, the scheme:

• Stabilizes farmer income
• Reduces financial risk
• Encourages continuity and expansion of fish farming

• Impact Achieved

Status in Previous Year (2025-26)

• 436 trout raceways insured
• Rs. 47.7 lakh claims settled
• 23 farmers benefited

Status in Current Year (2026-27)

• 127 beneficiaries covered
• Rs. 68.3 lakh total insured value
• 500 raceways insured

Handing over of insurance claim settlement cheque by Sh, Saurabh Bahuguna, Hon’ble Minister of Fisheries, Govt. of Uttarakhand

• Outcome & Significance

This initiative provides a robust risk mitigation framework for fish farmers in climate-sensitive regions. By protecting both crop and infrastructure, it ensures livelihood security, builds farmer confidence, and supports the sustainable growth of the fisheries sector.