Fish farming helps Bilaspur youth become self-sufficient

Sahil, a young man from Chhadol village in Bilaspur district, has achieved self-sufficiency through fish farming after leaving his private job in Chandigarh.

After getting support from the Fisheries Department and under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), he has set a precedent for other youths.

He got financial support and technical training for constructing fish tanks and rearing fish in the tanks that helped him establish a successful venture.

In the very first year, he sold his first 500 kg fish catch at Rs 62,500, demonstrating the viability of his business. Sahil said with a project budget of Rs 7.50 lakh, including government subsidy of Rs 3 lakh, he could make his business successful. He said he received continuous technical assistance from the department, adding that he started his project after constructing the tanks and procuring 7,000 Pangasius fish seeds.

Naresh Kumar, father of Sahil, said initially their family had apprehensions about losses in fish farming, but the positive results had inspired many people in the area to adopt such self-employment options.

Sahil had built seven fish tanks of 4m diameter each of 1.5 m height in March. He said the department had approved his project in 12 days and it was operational within 90 days. He said there was still 1.5 MT fish in his tanks and he expected to make at least Rs 1.75 lakh by selling the produce. He added that the fish could easily be sold from Rs 125 to Rs 150 depending on the demand and season.

Vivek Chandel, Director of the Fisheries Department, said the government was encouraging youth to adopt fish farming in the state. He added that apart from regular species, the department was providing exotic fish seeds that fetch better price to the farmers. He said applications from people in rural areas had also been invited for the construction of ponds for fish farming.