Today, we bring to you the story of a successful female farmer who has touched the heights of success in a short period in fish farming, Roopam Singh, a farmer hailing from the Kashipur district in Uttarakhand.
Inspiration from Rural Women
Roopam Singh holds a post-graduate degree in development planning and a Bachelor's and Master's in Fisheries. She mentioned that after finishing her studies, she worked for several years before venturing into fish farming in 2019. During her job, she once visited Rajasthan where she met some rural women engaged in business despite having limited education. Inspired by these rural women, she decided to start her own business and began fish farming.
Partnership in Business
Initially, Roopam planned to start fish farming in Delhi, but the setting-up costs were quite high in the city. Consequently, she returned to Kashipur, Uttarakhand and started her venture. She began her business in partnership with a relative by farming fish in their pond. However, after a year, she took a lease on a pond and began fish farming independently.
Production and Profits
Roopam initially leased about 10 acres of land for fish farming and now she owns around 3 acres in which she has created two ponds. Her annual fish production is approximately 750 quintals, leading to an annual profit of around 15 to 20 lakh rupees.
Advice for Fish Farmers
Roopam advises fellow farmers and fish breeders to focus more on the 'Pangasius' species compared to other types of fish as it yields higher profits. She also recommends preparing the fish before the monsoon season and selling them in the market before the onset of the monsoon. This strategy allows for higher fish production and subsequently leads to increased profits.