Rural youth Sujit is earning lakhs of rupees from fish farming

Sujit Prajapati, a youth from a small village Bharni under the Bastar development block of the district, has earned lakhs of rupees by doing fish farming business. Sujit Prajapati, the 24-year-old son of a retired electrical lineman, showed interest in fish farming after studying mechanical in polytechnic, and continued his BBA studies during this period. During this time, seeing the new technology of fish farming, biofloc, Sujit was also attracted to this business and he decided to join this business seven years ago and started the business with three biofloc tanks. Due to the very new technology and the absence of any guide in this field, he suffered losses in the business in the first year, but he decided to continue the business. In the second year, he got the benefit of gaining some experience and profit was reflected in this business.

Seeing Sujit’s interest in fish farming, the Fisheries Department also decided to cooperate. After this, Sujit started fish farming in seven biofloc tanks. Its cost was about Rs. 7.5 lakhs. The department provided 40% subsidy, due to which Sujit had to spend only Rs. 4.5 lakhs. Sujit says that last year, fish worth more than Rs. 9 lakhs were produced from fish seeds worth only Rs. 40 thousand and even if the expenses of fish farming are added, the net income was about Rs. 4 lakhs. Now other farmers are also taking advantage of Sujit’s experiences and are doing fish farming under his guidance. Sujit is now doing the business of fish feed production along with fish farming, so that the fish farmers of the area do not have to depend on other areas for fish feed. Sujit gives credit for his success to the fisheries department as well as his parents and brother. Sujit said that despite the initial failure of the business, his parents and brother gave full support, due to which he is getting profit in this business with more hard work and experience. He told that he is rearing Tilapia and Pangasius fish, which is proving to be a very profitable business due to its rapid growth.