Hema Dangwal’s fish farming in hilly area: Know her success story

Do you know that today’s women are making new records in every field? Today we will tell you the story of a female teacher from Uttarakhand, who surprised everyone by doing fish farming in the mountains. The story of Hema Dangwal of Sunkiya village in Nainital is very special. While people consider fish farming in the mountains to be difficult, this teacher left her 7 years of teaching and chose a new path. The desire to do something different in society inspired her to step into the field of fish farming.

Today, for the last 5 years, she has been working successfully in this field and has become an inspiration for others. Let us know how a teacher turned fish farming into a successful business in the hilly area.

Introduction of Hema Dangwal

Hema Dangwal lives in a happy family in Sunkiya village. After completing her primary education, she obtained a B.Ed. degree. After becoming a teacher, she taught children for many years, but gradually she realized that now she should choose a new path. With this thought, she decided to start her own business instead of teaching. She thought of starting fish farming, which was both a new beginning and a challenge for her. Her dream was to become a successful businessman and emerge as a source of inspiration for her village.

Start of fish farming

In Hema’s village, where most people make their living from farming and animal husbandry, she decided to do something new and different. She saw that water scarcity is a big problem, so she adopted the technique of rainwater harvesting and took steps towards fish farming.

Today, Hema is rearing fishes like grass carp, common carp, silver carp and golden fish. Through her efforts, she has constructed 3 kutcha and 4 paved ponds with a total area of ​​350 square meters, which is suitable for fish farming. To achieve success in fish farming, Hema has also taken special training from Cold Water Fisheries Research Institute, Bhimtal and Govind Ballabh Pant Agricultural University. Her effort has not only changed her life but has also emerged as a source of inspiration for other people in the village.

Diet of fishes

Hema gives special artificial diet to the fishes from Cold Water Fisheries Research Institute. This diet is very beneficial for the fishes. Along with this, she also feeds rice and flour pellets to the fishes, which makes their food even better.

Proper nutrition is very important for the fishes, so she also gives them other nutrients. This balanced diet improves the health of the fishes and also improves their production. In this way, Hema has made her fish farming a successful and sustainable business.

Production and cost of Fish Farming

Hema produces 550 kg of fish per year, which is sold in the local market at the rate of Rs 200 per kg. Apart from this, there is also the sale of ornamental fish, which is sold at home at the rate of Rs 80 per pair. Thus, there is a net income of about Rs 40,000 annually. Out of this income, Rs 35,000 comes in cost, which makes it clear that her fish farming is a profitable business. With her hard work and right strategy, Hema ji has not only produced well but has also strengthened herself financially.

Marketing and Business

Hema sells fish in the local market and restaurants. Apart from this, she also sells in nearby villages, which increases the number of her customers. Due to the promotion of the business, there is no problem in selling the fish. By using the right marketing techniques, they create an identity for their products and attract more customers. In this way, Hema has successfully established her fish farming business.

Problems and solutions in fish farming

Many problems can arise in fish farming, such as diseases in fish. To deal with this problem, Hema checks and cleans her pond from time to time, so that the health of the fish remains good. Also, if the fish get diseased, she also gives them medicine.

When there is a decrease in the water level, she fills the pond with water with the help of other women. Apart from this, problems caused by excess rain are also taken care of, so that the fish do not suffer any harm. In this way, Hema makes every effort to keep her fish farming safe and successful.

Integrated Aquaculture and Animal Husbandry

Integrated Aquaculture Poultry Husbandry is a method in which fish farming, poultry farming, and farming are all done together. Using this, Hema does farming and animal husbandry along with fish farming. She grows vegetables like tomatoes, peas, capsicum and mustard in her fields. Along with this, she also produces fruits like pears, apples and peaches. 

All these activities give her an additional income of about Rs 2,50,000 in a year. With this integrated approach, Hema not only strengthens her fish farming but also improves the financial condition of her family. It is part of a balanced and beneficial lifestyle for her.

Benefits of government schemes and subsidies

Hema has received benefits of many government schemes and subsidies. She has received a pakka talab from Mandi Samiti Haldwani, a 10,000-litre pond from Swajal, and a kachcha talab from the Directorate of Fisheries. Apart from this, she gets pipes, seeds and technical support for drip irrigation from the Agriculture Department, which helps in increasing the productivity of her crops. She also gets the benefit of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, which protects the crop.

Along with this, she is also getting an interest-free loan of Rs 1 lakh from the self-help group, which can further expand her business. All these facilities have played an important role in strengthening Hema’s fish farming and farming business.

Honours and Awards

Hema has received the Kisan Bhushan Award for her outstanding contribution in fish farming. Along with this honour, she has also received a sum of Rs 25,000 at the district level, which is a symbol of her hard work. Apart from this, she also keeps receiving various other awards, which show the appreciation of the society towards her work. These honours and awards are not only a source of inspiration for her, but also work to encourage her work further. Hema has set an example in her field with her hard work and dedication.

An inspiration for other women

Hema Dangwal has today become a big inspiration for those women who want to do something new. Apart from her village, she also meets other women, explains them and trains them that they can make and sell small businesses like incense sticks, agarbatti, candles.

Hema Dangwal also tells that by doing other small works along with farming, they can also grow their business. According to her, more than 100 women like her are doing new things in the self-help group, and she is in constant touch with them. Hema says that all the women in this group are like a family, who support each other. This initiative of hers not only inspires other women, but also increases their confidence.

Future plans and suggestions

Hema wants to expand her fish farming business in the future, so that more people can get employment. She is also inspiring other women to start their own business by taking advantage of government subsidy. She believes that other businesses can also be done along with farming, which can create many sources of income. Hema advises everyone not to be afraid of challenges and start new work. Her message is that everyone can achieve success with hard work and determination.

Conclusion

With her hard work and enthusiasm, Hema Dangwal has not only achieved success in fish farming, but has also become a source of inspiration for other women. She has proved that with the right information, government support, and dedication towards one’s work, any challenge can be faced. Her experiences and suggestions show that hard work is extremely important to achieve financial stability and self-reliance.

In the future, she dreams of expanding her business and employing more people. Hema’s journey teaches us that if we do not fear difficulties and move forward, we can achieve our goals.