Cold Water Fisheries Development
Agriculture
- PYQs5
- Articles1
Background
This concept highlights specific regional development challenges and opportunities, promotes sustainable aquaculture practices in ecologically sensitive areas, contributes to local economies, and involves advanced technologies for resource management and conservation of indigenous species.
Cold water fisheries refer to the aquaculture and capture fisheries activities conducted in the cold water regions, typically in mountainous and hilly areas. These regions are home to unique fish species like Trout and Mahseer, and their development is crucial for local livelihoods, biodiversity conservation, and regional food security.
Facts & tables
- Geographical Focus
- Himalayan and Hilly States (e.g., J&K, Uttarakhand, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh)
- Key Species
- Rainbow Trout, Golden Mahseer, Snow Trout
- Support Mechanisms
- Model Guidelines for Development of Cold Water Fisheries (2026), projects under PMMSY
- Technologies Promoted
- Raceways, Recirculatory Aquaculture Systems (RAS), Biofloc, IoT-based monitoring
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | Sustainable Aquaculture |
| Conceptual area | Himalayan Ecosystem |
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying | Promotes and funds |
| ICAR-Central Institute of Coldwater Fisheries Research (ICAR-CICFR) | Research and development |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Statement-based questions
Prelims angle: Conceptual understanding
- Focus on Himalayan/Hilly states for fisheries development.
- Key species include Rainbow Trout, Golden Mahseer, Snow Trout.
- Supported by PMMSY and specific Model Guidelines.
- Promotes technologies like RAS, Biofloc, IoT for efficiency.
- Aims for production, value addition, and market linkages in coldwater regions.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Factual recall, Terminology-based question |
| 2025 | Statement-based questions, Factual recall |
| 2023 | Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding |
| 2020 | Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding |
| 2014 | Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis |
Timeline
-
Sustainable Aquaculture
Conceptual area
-
Himalayan Ecosystem
Conceptual area
-
Prelims 2014
Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
-
Prelims 2020
Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2023
Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2025
Statement-based questions, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2026
Factual recall, Terminology-based question
-
Development of cold water fisheries
Focuses on developing fisheries in cold, mountainous regions, utilizing specific technologies and guidelines to boost production of species like Trout and Mahseer, crucial for regional livelihoods and food security.
See also
Past papers
2014–2025 · 4 questions
In the news
Development of cold water fisheries
Focuses on developing fisheries in cold, mountainous regions, utilizing specific technologies and guidelines to boost production of species like Trout and Mahseer, crucial for regional livelihoods and food security.
Try these PYQs
Consider the following statements :
Statement-I : According to the United Nation's 'World Water Development Report, 2022', India extracts more than a quarter of the world's groundwater withdrawal each year.
Statement-II :India needs to extract more than a quarter of the world's groundwater each year to satisfy the drinking water and sanitation needs of almost 18% of world's population living in its territory.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
* Statement 1 is correct. According to the United Nations World Water Development Report 2022, with an estimated 251 km3 annual withdrawal from an estimated 20 million wells and tube wells, India is the world's greatest groundwater user. This accounts for more than a quarter of the total groundwater extracted internationally. * Statement 2 is incorrect. India uses about 89% of this groundwater for irrigation. Major share of total groundwater extracted by India is utilised for irrigation purposes and not for drinking and sanitation purposes.
In India, which of the following can be considered as public investment in agriculture?
1. Fixing Minimum Support Price for agricultural produce of all crops
2. Computerization of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies
3. Social Capital development
4. Free electricity supply to farmers
5. Waiver of agricultural loans by the banking system
6. Setting up of cold storage facilities by the governments
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Public investment in agriculture refers to government expenditures aimed at improving the agricultural sector, including infrastructure development, technological improvements, and providing institutional support. Statement 1 is incorrect: Fixing the Minimum Support Price (MSP) is a policy decision, not an investment. While it affects the agricultural sector, it is not a direct public investment in terms of capital expenditure. Statement 2 is correct: The computerization of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) is a public investment because it involves government funds directed towards modernizing agricultural credit systems, enhancing efficiency, and accessibility for farmers. Statement 3 is correct: Social Capital development is a public investment in agriculture, as it involves building networks and community-based resources that help farmers improve productivity and access to resources. Statement 4 is incorrect: Free electricity supply is more of a subsidy, not a direct public investment in the form of capital expenditure. Statement 5 is incorrect: Waiver of agricultural loans is a policy measure aimed at alleviating farmer debt but does not qualify as an investment in infrastructure or capital. Statement 6 is correct: The setting up of cold storage facilities by the government is a direct public investment aimed at improving agricultural infrastructure and reducing post-harvest losses. Hence, option C is the correct answer.
Programme/ Project Ministry
1. Drought-Prone Area Programme: Ministry of Agriculture
2. Desert Development Programme: Ministry of Environment and Forests
3. National Watershed Development Project for Rainfed Areas: Ministry of Rural Development
Which of the above pairs are correctly matched?
Pair 1 is not correct: The drought prone area programme comes under Ministry of Rural Development. This programme aims to mitigate the impacts of droughts on crop production, livestock, land and water resources. Pair 2 is not correct: The Desert Development Programme comes under Ministry of Rural Development. The basic objective of the Desert Development Programme is to minimise negative effect of drought and control desertification. Pair 3 is not correct: The national watershed project for rainfed areas implemented by Ministry of Agriculture is an umbrella scheme under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayi Yojana.
Consider the following statements:
Statement I:
Of the two major ethanol producers in the world, i.e., Brazil and the United States of America, the former produces more ethanol than the latter.
Statement II:
Unlike in the United States of America where corn is the principal feedstock for ethanol production, sugarcane is the principal feedstock for ethanol production in Brazil.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Ethanol is a biofuel produced mainly by fermenting sugars found in crops like corn and sugarcane, with the USA and Brazil being the top global producers—each using a different primary feedstock. ❌ Statement I: Incorrect
* The United States is the largest ethanol producer, not Brazil. ✅ Statement II: Correct
* USA uses corn; Brazil uses sugarcane as the primary feedstock for ethanol.
At the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) held in June, 2025 in France, the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations demonstrated its leading voice on marine and ocean issues, especially on sustainable fisheries and aquaculture for resilient livelihood and "Blue Transformation".
Which of the following combinations about the "Four Betters" proposed by FAO for "Blue Transformation" is correct ?
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations guides its global work through a strategic framework aimed at supporting the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The core organizing principle of this framework is the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems to achieve the "Four Betters". The "Four Betters" are officially defined as:
1. Better Production: Ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns.
2. Better Nutrition: Ending hunger, achieving food security, and improving access to healthy diets.
3. Better Environment: Protecting, restoring, and promoting the sustainable use of terrestrial and marine ecosystems.
4. Better Life: Promoting inclusive economic growth and reducing inequalities, leaving no one behind. The Blue Transformation is a specific FAO vision and programmatic priority area that aims to secure and maximize the contribution of aquatic food systems (fisheries and aquaculture) to achieve these overarching "Four Betters". Options A, C, and D are incorrect because they include fabricated pillars such as "better ocean", "better coral reefs", "better estuaries", or "better mangrove vegetation", which are not part of the FAO's official strategic framework. Therefore, Option B is the correct answer.