Vinita Kumari, a 38-year-old woman from Dumka, Jharkhand, shows strength in dealing with the difficulties she faces. After experiencing the loss of her father, two brothers, and eventually her husband during the COVID-19 pandemic, she was left with the responsibility of providing for her family. Faced with an uncertain future, Vinita chose to step into the world of aquaculture, taking over her family's fishery business.
Vinita’s journey was challenging, especially in a field mostly dominated by men. "Being a woman alone in that field was initially difficult," she says. But with hard work and determination, she was able to overcome the challenges and build a successful business in both freshwater and seawater fish farming. Today, Vinita is one of the leading fish farmers in her state. She has secured a good future for her children and has become an inspiration to many women who want to find their own way in farming.
Overcoming Personal Tragedy: A New Beginning
Vinita was born and brought up in Dumka. She led a happy life with her brothers and parents. Tragedy struck too early for her when her father died in 1994, and eventually, she lost her brothers as well. Despite these agonizing losses, Vinita managed to keep her family intact. She had married Vipin Chaudhary from Begusarai in 1990, and life had been peaceful. However, the family’s financial situation deteriorated after her brothers' demise. She felt the need to take on the challenge.
She decided to enter the fishery business, a field traditionally controlled by men. Gradually, with the help of her husband, she learned the business, took care of day-to-day activities, and rebuilt her family firm from scratch. Her greatest test came during the COVID-19 pandemic when she lost her husband to the disease. This was the darkest period of her life. She was now alone with two children and had no one else to support the family.
She had an important choice to make: accept what was happening or fight against it. She decided to fight. It was a brave decision, and it helped her become well-known in her field.
Stepping Into the Fishery Business: A Woman's Challenge
She was determined to secure a stable future for her kids. She immersed herself wholeheartedly in the fishery trade. She returned to Dumka while her husband had been employed in Patna before his death. She took charge of the entire process, from maintaining the ponds to harvesting the fish. She was also responsible for selling and marketing. She transformed herself into a master of a profession she knew little about before.
Her company trades in freshwater fish such as Rohu, Katla, and Mrigal carp, which are always in demand. She later diversified her business to include ocean fish from South India. She not only supplies fish to local markets but also in bulk. She is now one of the top fish wholesalers in Jharkhand.
She is the sole female wholesaler in the state. She never allowed gender discrimination to affect her work. She stands tall among 150-200 men in her business. She has earned their respect through her hard work and business skills, alongside her business partner.
Navigating Obstacles: Road to Financial Independence
It was never an easy job to be a woman in a man's world. Vinita had to overcome several hurdles in terms of getting customer doubts, business rivals, and industry regulators. She faced some issues during the initial phase, like sourcing fish, quality maintenance, and financial troubles.
Her determination helped her survive. She approached the government for aid and got assistance from District Fisheries Officer Amarendra Kumar. She has arranged a Rs. 10 lakh loan under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, of which Rs. 4 lakh was granted as a grant. She could develop her business even further with this financial support..
Vinita has been able to earn an average of Rs.70,000 every month despite the rise and fall of the fishery business. Her income varies—sometimes reaching lakhs during the peak seasons and at other times falling to Rs. 20,000. She has learned to run her business in a cost-effective manner in all the ups and downs.
Recognition and Achievements
Vinita's remarkable achievement has not gone unnoticed. Her work in the fisheries industry has brought her numerous prestigious awards:
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Best Fisheries Award by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari in Delhi (2022)
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Best Fish Farmer Award in Kolkata (2023), presented by West Bengal Minister Biplab Rai Chakraborty and ICAR Sikri Director PK Das
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MFOI Award 2023 (Fisheries Category).
These recognitions are proof of her hard work, dedication, and the impact she has made in the agriculture sector.
Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: A Message of Resilience
Vinita has this to say: Courage was her biggest supporter when all else appeared lost, referring to how she reached this point. She insists that women should become self-sufficient and take charge of their lives. She strongly believes that no trade is out of bounds for women, not even fish farming. Fish farming is considered a tricky and challenging vocation.
Her message to future female agripreneurs and farmers is straightforward- ’Never Quit.’ She feels that women are just as qualified as men when it comes to operating a business, handling finances, and confronting issues. Vinita now manages her personal and professional life smoothly. She is providing proper education to her two children and ensuring a secure future for them. She also takes care of her elderly mother. She serves her family with the same force that enabled her to establish her business.
Vinita Kumari’s journey from personal tragedy to professional success is a powerful example of resilience. Overcoming immense challenges, she became a successful fish farmer and a role model for women. Her determination to achieve financial independence drives her to pursue her own business. Vinita’s story is a testament to the strength of self-belief and the power of perseverance.
