Jeevan Lal: A Role Model of Self-Reliance through Fish Farming
It is said that with hard work and proper guidance, anyone can achieve success. Jeevan Lal from Gondpur Banehra village in Gagret block of Una district has proven this true. With the support of government schemes and assistance, he has set an example of self-reliance by venturing into self-employment. Moving away from traditional agriculture, he adopted fish farming under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and has now emerged as a successful entrepreneur in this field. Within just two years, Jeevan Lal earned a profit of Rs. 2.20 lakh in the first year and is expecting a profit of over Rs. 7 lakh this year.
Jeevan Lal’s journey has not only brought him economic prosperity but has also become a source of inspiration for other farmers.
Vivek Chandela, Director of the Fisheries Department of Himachal Pradesh, stated that under the guidance of Chief Minister Shri Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the department is actively working to promote fish farming and create self-employment opportunities for the youth. Several schemes are being implemented for this purpose. Under the PMMSY, subsidies of 40% and 60% are provided based on eligibility. Additionally, the government has launched the Mukhyamantri Carp Matsya Palan Yojana, which offers an 80% subsidy to farmers.
How the Seed of Success was Sown
Jeevan Lal started fish farming on 0.3450 hectares of land in 2023-24. During this period, he received financial assistance of Rs. 1.71 lakh from the government under the PMMSY scheme. Through his hard work, vision, and strategic planning, he earned a profit of Rs. 2.2 lakh from his very first harvest. After this initial success, Jeevan Lal did not look back. In 2024-25, he leased neighboring ponds and expanded his carp fish farming. Currently, he has cultivated fish seeds in approximately 1.3817 hectares of land, producing around 6 tons of fish. By mid-year, he expects to sell these and earn a profit of around Rs. 7.6 lakh.
Innovations that Wrote the Story of Success
Considering the geographical conditions of Himachal Pradesh, Jeevan Lal introduced some innovations in fish farming, which helped him achieve higher profits. He constructed small but effective ponds in hilly areas that are easy to manage. Additionally, he adopted a mixed semi-intensive carp culture technique, which increased fish production. Since fish feed is expensive in hilly regions, he used affordable alternatives like leftover pulses and soybean nutrimix to feed the fish, reducing production costs and increasing profits. Through the expansion of his business, he generated 72 additional man-days of employment and provided permanent employment to one individual.
Jeevan Lal’s success story highlights the growing potential of fish farming in Himachal Pradesh. It also serves as an inspiration for all farmers and youth who aspire to achieve success through self-employment in their lives.
