Ghulam Rasool Builds Thriving Livelihood through Fish and Goat Farming*

Sirmaur July 05

Ghulam Rasool, a resident of Khairi village in Trilokpur, Nahan, Sirmaur district, has transformed his economic situation by availing the benefits of welfare schemes launched by the Himachal Pradesh Government. Once struggling to meet his family’s needs through agriculture and livestock rearing alone, he is now a successful entrepreneur creating livelihood opportunities for others.

In 2023, Rasool approached the Assistant Director of the Fisheries Department, Nahan, and secured a ₹3 lakh project for fish farming, with a 30% subsidy. He constructed four fish ponds and sourced Pangasius and Rohu fish seed from Nalagarh, Solan. Within a year, his fish farming venture earned him ₹6.5 lakh, yielding a net profit of ₹4.5 lakh. His business not only supports his family but also provides employment to two individuals. Traders from Chandigarh and Uttar Pradesh now visit his ponds to purchase fish, which he sells for ₹70 to ₹100 per kilogram.

Inspired by his success, Rasool expanded his ventures in 2024 by initiating a goat farming project. With the support of the Animal Husbandry Department, he secured a ₹60 lakh project — comprising ₹30 lakh as a loan and ₹30 lakh as a subsidy. He built two sheds and a fodder storage unit, and purchased 300 goats and 15 bucks from Sangrur, Punjab. In just one year, his herd grew to 450 goats, and he plans to start commercial sales in the coming year. This venture has also created jobs for five more people.

Rasool aspires to grow his goat farming enterprise to 1,000 animals and aims to encourage around 500 local families to take up this profitable occupation. He has also undergone a 15-day goat farming training at the Central Research Centre, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh.

Expressing his gratitude, Rasool credits the welfare schemes of the Himachal Pradesh Government and the leadership of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu for his success. He believes that such initiatives are crucial in strengthening the rural economy and fostering self-reliance among the people.