Innovative Farmer in Haryana Turns to Aquaculture, Achieves Rs 20 Lakh Profit
Matriculate farmer turns aquapreneur, builds a Rs 20-lakh profit model in Haryana
The Indian Express
Image: The Indian Express
Dharampal Kala, a 52-year-old farmer from Chiri village in Rohtak district, Haryana, has successfully expanded his aquaculture business, cultivating freshwater prawns and fish. His cooperative model has created employment opportunities for local youths, generating profits of approximately Rs 20 lakh annually while inspiring others in the region to adopt similar practices.
- 01Dharampal Kala has expanded his aquaculture operations to 80 acres for prawns and 60 acres for fish.
- 02He has created a cooperative society with 10 unemployed youths, promoting rural employment.
- 03Jhinga farming requires an investment of about Rs 35 lakh for five acres, yielding nearly Rs 55 lakh annually.
- 04Haryana has become a pioneer in jhinga farming, inspiring neighboring states to adopt similar practices.
- 05Subsidies are available for farmers, with 60% for women and Scheduled Caste farmers.
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Dharampal Kala, a 52-year-old farmer from Chiri village in Rohtak district, Haryana, has transformed his agricultural practices by venturing into aquaculture. With nearly three decades of experience in fisheries, he expanded into jhinga (freshwater prawn) farming four years ago. By forming a cooperative society with 10 unemployed youths, Kala now cultivates jhinga across 80 acres and manages fisheries on another 60 acres, utilizing land contracted from local landowners. His innovative approach has not only generated a profit of approximately Rs 20 lakh (roughly $24,000 USD) annually but has also created significant employment opportunities in the region. Kala's journey began in 1999, and he has since expanded his operations from 38 acres to 200 acres by 2010, showcasing the potential of aquaculture in rural economies. Officials from the Haryana fisheries department commend his systematic farming practices, which have inspired many local farmers. Additionally, Haryana has led the way in promoting jhinga farming since 2014, with current cultivation covering 6,500 acres and producing 17,000 metric tonnes annually. The state offers subsidies for aquaculture projects, making it accessible for various communities.
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Kala's model of aquaculture has created job opportunities for local youths, promoting economic stability in rural areas.
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