Jitendra Daharwal is Transforming Rural Economy Through Sustainable Fish Farming 

Sustainable Fish Farming: Jitendra Daharwal, a resident of Siwan Kanhar village in Seoni district of Madhya Pradesh, has established a successful fish farming business on his 30 acres of land. Born on March 17, 1981, Jitendra started with traditional farming, but seeing the potential in fish farming, he made it the focus of his business. Currently, he is doing fish farming on his 8 acres of land and plans to expand it in the coming years.

Beginnings and Inspiration

Jitendra explains:

“I faced many challenges in farming. The low price and high cost of the crop prompted me to look for an alternative business. That’s when I came to know about fish farming, which is a low-cost and high-profit business.”

He took training in fish farming and started this journey by creating a pond in a part of his land. In the initial phase, he started rearing species like Rohu, Katla and Mrigal.

Technology and modern management

Jitendra adopted modern techniques for fish farming, including pond management, maintaining water quality and using high-quality fish feed.

• Pond management:

“Water quality is most important in fish farming. I regularly check the pH and oxygen level of the water,” he says.

• Feeding techniques:

He feeds the fish with nutrient-rich feed, which accelerates their growth.

• Health management:

He consulted fish specialists and adopted disease prevention techniques to take care of the health of the fish.

Financial success

Jitendra has significantly increased his income from fish farming.

• Annual income:

He earns Rs 8-10 lakh annually from fish farming.

• Profit:

He started making profits by covering the initial investment in just two years.

• Local market:

The demand for his fish is very high in Seoni and the surrounding districts.

Jitendra says:

“There is always a demand for fresh fish in the local market. I understood the needs of the customers and ensured timely supply.”

Inspiration to local farmers

Jitendra’s efforts have also inspired local farmers.

• Training:

He trained more than 10 farmers of his village in fish farming.

• Institutional support:

He took support from agricultural universities and the fisheries department to disseminate his knowledge to other farmers.

• Rural development:

Fish farming has created new employment opportunities in the village.

Challenges and solutions

Jitendra faced several challenges in fish farming, including water scarcity and initial investment problems.

• Water scarcity:

“Water scarcity was a big problem during the summer season. I built drip systems and ponds to conserve rainwater,” he says.

• Investment:

Without any government support, he used his savings.

Benefiting from government schemes

Although Jitendra has not availed any government scheme so far, he is confident that fisheries schemes can help him. He says:

“If the government gives subsidies and technical support to small farmers, fish farming can be profitable for more farmers.”

Future plans

Jitendra wants to expand his business further.

1. Expansion of business:

He wants to take up fish farming on his entire 30-acre land.

2. Fish processing unit:

He plans to set up a processing unit for fish products, such as packaged fish and fish powder.

3. Farming new species:

He also plans to introduce new species such as tiger shrimp and pangas.

Economic impact

Jitendra’s fish farming has not only proved profitable for his family, but is also empowering the local economy. His business has increased employment opportunities in the village and has also inspired other farmers.

Conclusion

Jitendra Daharwal’s story is an example of a farmer’s perseverance and innovation. His hard work and vision have proved that with the right technology and management, fish farming can be a profitable business.

His success is an inspiration not only for himself but also for his community. This story is a guide for farmers who want to move beyond traditional farming and adopt modern agricultural techniques.