Trout farming transforms lives in Mandi: Five villagers earn up to Rs 18 lakhs annually from barren land
- Himachal govt hikes prices at ration depots; wheat flour, rice, oil get costlier - September 24, 2024
- Trout farming transforms lives in Mandi: Five villagers earn up to Rs 18 lakhs annually from barren land - September 24, 2024
- Employees Take to the Streets in Mandi, Warning of Statewide Bank Closures - September 23, 2024
Dahad Village’s Remarkable Success Story: Turning Wasteland into Wealth with Government Support
MANDI: With determination and the right guidance, success can be achieved even in the toughest circumstances. This has been exemplified by five individuals from Dahad, a small village in the Devdhar area of Chachyot tehsil in Mandi district.
Leveraging Himachal Pradesh government schemes aimed at empowering youth, farmers and orchardists, these villagers are now earning between Rs 15 lakh and Rs 18 lakh annually by practising trout farming on just two bighas of barren land.
Built 12 trout raceways with government aid
The journey began in 2018 when Netra Singh, a resident of Dahad, received advice from a trout farmer to utilise his barren land by the stream for trout farming. Singh approached the fisheries department and, with support under the Blue Revolution scheme, secured a grant to start trout farming. Singh and four other villagers invested Rs 30 lakh to construct 12 trout raceways, aided by a government grant of Rs 11.60 lakh.
Also Read: https://thenewzradar.com/despite-vikramadityas-defamation-warning-kangana-again-targets-gandhi-family-calls-rahul-priyanka-children-even-at-50/
Establishment of fish feed unit addresses key challenge
Facing the challenge of expensive fish feed, Singh utilised the Prime Minister’s Matsya Sampada Yojana to establish a small fish feed unit worth Rs 30 lakh, with a Rs 12 lakh subsidy. This unit now not only meets their needs but also supplies quality fish feed at affordable rates to other local trout farmers. Another group member has invested in a vehicle to transport the fish, further reducing costs and increasing profitability.
Trout from Dahad reaches major cities
Singh’s trout farming venture has expanded beyond Mandi, reaching major cities like Ludhiana, Chandigarh and Delhi. The demand is so high that the group often struggles to meet it. Singh emphasised that if more people joined trout farming, transportation costs would decrease and the venture would become even more profitable. He praised the fisheries department for its consistent support and guidance.
Govt grants boost fish farming: Fisheries department’s role
Neetu Singh, Assistant Director of the Fisheries Department in Mandi, highlighted that Dahad’s fish farmers received substantial support under the Blue Revolution scheme. This included grants for constructing trout raceways and additional aid for fish seeds and feed in the first year.
She noted that under the state plan, fish farmers are eligible for an 80% subsidy on pond construction, amounting to Rs 12.4 lakh per hectare for the first year. Currently, 763 fishermen in Mandi District have fishing licences and 96 families are engaged in fish farming, earning significant profits.
District Administration’s Efforts to Engage Youth in Fish Farming
Mandi District Commissioner Apoorv Devgan stated that, under the guidance of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, efforts are being made to attract more youth to fish farming. Devgan pointed out that Mandi District’s streams, which have water throughout the year, present great potential for fish production.
He also mentioned that the fisheries department has been instructed to coordinate with the cooperation department to explore the formation of fisheries cooperative societies, which could further bolster the local fish farming industry.
This inspiring journey from barren land to profitable trout farming serves as a testament to the impact of government initiatives and community effort in transforming lives and boosting local economies.
