REQUEST FOR TROUT CONSULTANT PROPOSAL: International Consultant – Rainbow Trout Hatchery, Genetics and Feed

REQUEST FOR CONSULTANT PROPOSAL

RFP: 004/2026

International Consultant – Rainbow Trout Hatchery, Genetics and Feed 

Issuance Date: February 2, 2026 

Closing Date: February 10, 2026,

Components of this solicitation are as follows 

Appendix A: Terms of Reference and requirements 

Appendix B: Instructions for Application and Review Process

1. BACKGROUND 

Current status of Rainbow trout Aquaculture in Nepal

Rainbow trout in Nepal officially introduced in 1988 from Japan. This was the third attempt of introduction, before these earlier attempts were carried from India and England. Since then, trout production is slowly and steadily increasing to reach approximately 1244 mt per year production. The rainbow trout farming despite of so many problems has been extended to more than 40 districts of Nepal.

There has been attempt to some attempt to improve the quality of brood fish some other efforts were carried to bring more strains of trout in Nepal. But those attempts have not been effective. Altogether there is one government research hatchery along with more than 20 privately owned trout hatcheries. Earlier the hatchery owners were offered training and orientation on trout hatchery operation. At present there is need of hatchery manuals written in Nepali languages as a guideline to maintain and improve the hatchery efficiency in terms of using higher survival of the brood fish so larger eggs could be obtained. Guidelines would also be necessary to obtain eggs and milt, fertilization process, cleaning of fertilized eggs, removing dead eggs before setting them into the incubator. In Nepal, for incubation Japanese system the use of Atkin’s incubator (horizontal type) is in practice. In this system to examine the stages of development all trays submerged into the box are needed to dismantle. However, in vertical types of incubators (such as Californian Incubation or Jar system) specific incubation trays or jar can be examined without removing all trays. Therefore, alternative incubation system with improved and efficient survivability such as vertical types required. 

There have been almost none genetical studies on the present stock of rainbow trout, although, in the trout stock is performing well despite the problems related to certain infections and disease related to poor nutrition. These traits are required to be assessed and recorded with recommendations for further genetical improvements programs. 

Rainbow trout are fed with relatively higher protein content pellet feed in Nepal. At the beginning to feed the newly hatched trout alevin are generally fed with boiled chicken egg yellow part, animal liver cakes, adopted by nurseries in Nepal after giving guidelines by NARC with promising results. Later crumbles for larval feed were developed and applied. Now the trout feed needs to be assessed for future recommendations for improvement not only in alevin crumble feed, but also for fingerlings as well adults grown up and broods. 

Most trout hatchery operates with traditional infrastructure, inadequate broodstock management, and limited application of modern breeding protocols, and appropriately balanced pellet feed according to life cycle stages. The cleaning protocols of raceways as well handling might also need to be developed, documented and applied.  These might be also one of the reasons for high mortality of alevins. standardized nursery systems.

Compounding the problem, Nepal lacks a national regulatory framework for seed certification, genetic traceability, or quarantine measures. This vacuum allows for unchecked importation of low-quality feed ingredients, including ornamental species that pose biosecurity threats. Both public institutions and private hatcheries face acute shortages of trained personnel on trout disease and genetic management tools.

To unlock the rainbow trout production potential, Nepal urgently needs a coordinated program to introduce new stock of brood, develop family- or nucleus-based selective breeding systems, and establish robust seed quality assurance, robust feed formulation and certification mechanisms. This consultancy is designed to fill these critical gaps by delivering hands-on technical guidance, piloting improved trout hatchery, feed system along with supporting policy frameworks to ensure long-term gains in trout seed quality, hatchery performance, and overall sector resilience.

Aquaculture Development Project

The Aquaculture Development Project is a USDA Food for Progress initiative that aims to strengthen Nepal’s aquaculture sector while promoting U.S. soy trade. It supports national priorities by enhancing food security, economic growth, and resilience across the aquaculture value chain.

The project seeks to boost domestic aquaculture production and competitiveness through sustainable practices and partnerships with farmers, government agencies (CFPCC, NARC), and the private sector. It contributes to two key USDA FFPr goals:

1. Improving sanitary and phytosanitary systems and trade facilitation.
2. Enhancing sector profitability and competitiveness.

Structured around four components (1) SPS and trade, (2) sector profitability, (3) financial services, and (4) safe food consumption. The project operates in 14 districts across five provinces. Led by Lutheran World Relief, it will benefit 9,500+ farmers, 47 hatcheries, 18 feed mills, and 500+ value chain actors. This consultancy is central to Component 2, tackling rainbow trou genetics and seed quality challenges to improve hatchery performance and farmer productivity.

APPLICATIONS – Applications are to be submitted through the online application no later than the Last Application Receipt Date, which is defined as Dated; February 06, 2026, Electronic applications must be addressed and delivered to: lwrnepalcontact@lwr.org 

Click on the link below for the detailed TOR:

REQUEST FOR TROUT CONSULTANT PROPOSAL International