From Homemaker to Aquapreneur: The Inspiring Journey of Smt. Sujata Bhuyan and the Catalytic Role of ICAR-CIFRI

March 2026 : In the vast waters of the Hirakud Reservoir in Odisha’s Sambalpur district, a quiet yet powerful transformation is unfolding—where resilience meets science and opportunity turns into enterprise. At the heart of this change stands Smt. Sujata Bhuyan, whose inspiring journey from a homemaker to a successful aquapreneur reflects the growing strength of women-led rural livelihoods in India.

Driven by the aspiration to contribute to her family’s income, Sujata stepped into fish farming under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). By adopting cage culture technology in the reservoir, she entered a domain that demanded both technical understanding and managerial skill. The initial phase posed multiple challenges—ranging from water quality fluctuations and feed management to balancing household responsibilities—but her determination never wavered.

A major turning point in her journey came through the scientific support and capacity-building initiatives of ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries, Government of Odisha. A series of structured training programmes on “Cage Culture in Reservoirs” were conducted at Sambalpur in two phases—benefiting nearly 400 participants, among whom Smt. Sujata Bhuyan was one. Trainings integrated theory with practical exposure—focusing on scientific fish stocking, water quality management, feed optimization, disease control, and overall cage operations. Hands-on demonstrations and field-based learning, supported by comprehensive training manuals, ensured that participants gained both knowledge and confidence to adopt improved aquaculture practices.

Empowered with scientific knowledge and institutional support, Sujata expanded her enterprise with remarkable success. Within a span of two to three years, her production scaled up to 25–30 metric tonnes annually, generating an income of ₹7–10 lakh. Her achievement not only ensured financial stability for her family but also established her as a role model for women in her community.

Her remarkable journey gained national prominence when she was featured by Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the 132nd episode of Mann Ki Baat. In his address, the Prime Minister highlighted her transformation as a shining example of grassroots entrepreneurship and women’s empowerment, bringing her story to the national stage.

Dr. Pradip Dey, Director, ICAR-CIFRI, Barrackpore, remarked, “The journey of Smt. Sujata Bhuyan exemplifies how scientific interventions, when effectively translated at the grassroots, can transform livelihoods and empower rural communities. Reservoir cage culture holds immense potential for enhancing fish production and income, particularly for women and youth. At ICAR-CIFRI, our focus is not only on developing technologies but also on ensuring their adoption through capacity building, field demonstrations, and institutional convergence. Her success is a testament to the synergy between science, policy support, and human determination in building self-reliant rural economies.”

Sujata Bhuyan’s story goes beyond personal success—it reflects how science, supportive policies, and individual determination can come together to transform lives. Her journey in Hirakud continues to inspire new possibilities for others.

The programmes were conducted by a committed team of scientists—Dr. Armaan Ullah Muzaddadi, Dr. A.K. Das, Dr. Raju Baitha, Dr. D.K. Meena, Dr. Rahul Das, Dr. P.K. Parida, Dr. P. Gogoi, and Dr. Canciyal Johnson—whose field-oriented mentoring and sustained guidance played a crucial role in strengthening the capacities of farmers like Sujata.