SUCCESS STORY IN FISH FARMING UNDER THE LARGE SCOPE OF INTEGRATED FARMING
BACKGROUND
Where interest and zeal make a cocktail then success need no advertisement as it is a bio product of this cocktail. In a state where people claim fate is more important for success, the success story of a veteran farmer from Bhurewala an interior village of Ambala District is a shining example of how technologically and innovative cultivation methods can transform the agrarian economy and uplift the lives of millions of farmers.
INTERVENTION
It had been a journey of innovation and ardor for Manvender Singh, who in 2018 entered the world of fisheries and allied activities, including integrated farming. As various governments have long encouraged farmers to move away from traditional practices and explore new, innovative methods of farming, Manvender Singh visited numerous government and non-government e-sites as well as livestock farming facilities in Northern India, particularly in Haryana and Punjab, to understand modern agricultural measures. He then decided to begin integrated farming, which includes fisheries and a piggery farm. To implement this vision, he visited the District Fisheries Officer in Ambala, where he received valuable advice and motivation. He subsequently completed training with the Fisheries Department as well as the Piggery Department of Haryana.
SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT
Thereafter, in November, 2018-19 he got himself involved in construction of piggery sheds
and excavation of fish ponds on his own land more than 2 Hectares, where he got Technical support from the District Fisheries Officer, Ambala.
The man got himself fully involved fish cultivation. Gradually he dig three ponds on his land in the year 2018-19 respectively with a nursery of 2 Kanal. For the construction of Piggery Sheds, he spent Rs. 20 Lakhs and Rs. 5 Lakh on animals and Rs. 3 Lakhs on equipments and Rs. 2 Lakhs on feed. For the construction of Fisheries Farm such as digging of ponds,construction of office and store room, seed, medicine, equipments, aerators and feed he spent total of Rs. 15 Lakhs. He had got financial subsidy of Rs. 5,37,200/- towards excavation and inputs assistance from the Fisheries Department, but no assistance was given by the Piggery Department, Haryana.
Looking for a way to increase his earnings, Manvender Singh started selling fish which added an extra income to his savings. In year 2020 he procured 1 Lakh fish seed from Fisheries Department Haryana and stocked in the Nursery Pond and yearling are stocked in the main pond and in the end of same year he sold his fish cropof 20 Ton. He is planning further to develop more ponds to boost fish production in the upcoming years.
This could not have been possible without the support, service, technical help and motivation from the State Fisheries Department. In the beginning he was not so sure about the tools and techniques for fish farming except some traditional ways. His interest in fish and pig farming helped him to cope with the growing trends of fish and pig farming. The State Fisheries Department also helped with in various ways to setup his farming.
A BIGGER BUSINESS
As fresh fish is highly demanded in the markets of his locality, marketing is not a problem for him. He is planning further to develop more number of fish culture ponds as profit is comparatively more in fish culture than other agriculture practices.
FISH CULTURE ACTIVITIES
The fish varieties are Catla, Rohu, Mrigal, Grass Carp, Silver Carp and Common Carpetc.Feed is applied daily @ 2-3% of the fish biomass. De-oiled rice bran, oil cakes, mustard oil cake, sesamum oil cake along with pellet feeds in bag method is practiced.Probiotics are also added to improve the fish gut fauna for better digestion. He is adopting the method of producing fermented products and applying to fishes for better growth. His last year earnings from fish culture was 20 Lakhs whereas the net profit was around 12 Lakhs,which is quiet a better yield.It is projected that, the farmer is benefited from the composite fish culture practice. It could be concluded that the man is now a fisheries entrepreneur and a community role model in fisheries.
A COMMUNITY ROLE MODEL
In the recent years, Manvender Singh and his family have undergone a remarkable change,emerging as role models in their village and nearby areas. He has been instrumental in encouraging villagers to become fish farmers there’s more than enough demand in their local area.