Fish Farming as a Source of Livelihood in Sapedi Village, Himachal Pradesh

Mandi, Jan 01 2025
In the Padhar sub-division of Himachal Pradesh, farmers are turning to fish farming alongside traditional agriculture to bolster their income and achieve self-sufficiency. Dinanath, from Sapedi village in the Kunno Panchayat, has adopted fish farming as a business, creating new avenues for self-employment.

Dinanath, who initially struggled to make ends meet with farming, decided to explore fish farming after learning about the support provided by the state government. He built two tanks, receiving a 50% subsidy from the government for both projects. The tanks, costing around ₹75,000 and ₹1.5 lakh respectively, have already started yielding significant results. The fish, including the subsidized free seeds of carp fish, have grown to a weight of 300 to 500 grams in just four to six months and are selling for ₹300 per kilogram.

Dinanath credits his success to the support of the state government, particularly Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s farmer-friendly policies. He has received financial assistance for tank construction through the “Jal Se Krishi Ko Bal” scheme, among other forms of aid.

Agriculture expert Sonam Kumari mentioned that five farmers in the region also received financial assistance for tank repairs under the same scheme, alongside training in sustainable farming practices.