Why in news?
The Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying is scheduled to inaugurate India’s first commercial‑scale tropical recirculating aquaculture system facility near Hyderabad. The Smart Green Aquaculture Farm and Research Institute at Kandukur in Telangana will showcase how high‑value cold‑water species such as rainbow trout can be farmed year‑round in a tropical climate.
What is RAS?
A recirculatory aquaculture system is a land‑based fish farming technique in which water is continuously filtered and reused. Instead of drawing fresh water from rivers or ponds, RAS facilities employ mechanical filters to remove solid waste and biofilters to convert toxic ammonia into harmless nitrate. Clean, oxygenated water is then returned to the fish tanks.
Key features
- High‑density culture: RAS allows farmers to rear fish at much higher densities than pond or cage systems, making efficient use of limited land.
- Water efficiency: Up to 90–99 % of water is reused, reducing the demand on freshwater resources and minimising discharge into the environment.
- Biosecurity: Because incoming water is filtered and often UV‑sterilised, pathogens and parasites are less likely to enter the system. Indoor tanks also reduce exposure to predators and pollutants.
- Location flexibility: RAS farms can be set up in urban or arid areas where conventional aquaculture is impractical. Controlled environments enable year‑round production independent of seasonal changes.
- Challenges: The systems have high initial capital costs and require skilled management to monitor water quality, maintain equipment and ensure stable biological processes. Energy consumption for pumps, aeration and temperature control can also be significant.
Significance of the Hyderabad facility
The Smart Green Aquaculture project demonstrates that premium species like rainbow trout, normally confined to cold Himalayan streams, can be cultivated in tropical plains using precision engineering and sophisticated water recirculation. It will serve as a training and demonstration centre to familiarise farmers and researchers with advanced aquaculture technologies. Government support for such initiatives forms part of a broader strategy to modernise India’s fisheries sector, improve farmer incomes and meet rising demand for high‑quality protein.
Source: Press Information Bureau
