Farmers in West Champaran turning to fish farming for higher profits
Mithilesh Mishra, a farmer from Manuapul in West Champaran, has highlighted the disappointment faced by farmers due to high costs and low profits in traditional farming. As a result, many farmers in the region have started exploring alternative farming methods to improve their financial situation.
A group of around two dozen farmers from the Sirisia Panchayat in Chanpatia block have decided to shift from traditional farming to fish farming. These farmers had land in an area that used to be filled with water. However, when the water dried up, they were forced to cultivate wheat in some areas, which didn’t yield much profit.
Since there was no possibility of growing paddy crops, the farmers came up with the idea of fish farming. They have started fish farming in 100 acres of the 500-acre chaur (wetland). The farmers have invested their own money to construct 20 ponds for the fish farming, with each pond costing around Rs 1 to 2 lakh.
Expected profit and expansion plans
Seeds of Rohu, Katla, Naini, and Common Carp have been sown, and the fish will be ready for sale in November. The farmers estimate a profit of around Rs 1 to 1.5 lakh from this venture. Encouraged by the initial success, they plan to expand fish farming to the entire area.
The farmers have acquired technical knowledge about fish farming from other fish farmers in the village. They have procured the fish seeds from Kaptanganj, Uttar Pradesh, and expect the fishes to start emerging in November. It costs around Rs 40 thousand to rear fish in one acre.
“Fish farming has been started by the farmers of Sirisia village. This thinking of theirs will prove to be effective in bringing them prosperity. As per rules, they will also be provided cooperation from the department.” – Ganesh Ram, District Fisheries Officer, West Champaran
Summary:
- Farmers in Sirisia Panchayat, West Champaran, are shifting from traditional farming to fish farming due to high costs and low profits.
- They have started fish farming in 100 acres of land and have constructed 20 ponds with their own money.
- The farmers have sown seeds of Rohu, Katla, Naini, and Common Carp, expecting a profit of Rs 1 to 1.5 lakh.
- They have acquired technical knowledge from local fish farmers and plan to expand fish farming in the entire area.
