Fish farming fuels youth empowerment and self-reliance in UP
Lucknow Focus News Desk: Backed by the double-engine government and expert support from the Fisheries Department, youth and women across Uttar Pradesh are turning fish farming into a path of self-reliance and job creation. The success stories of Vikrant Pathak from Varanasi and Meera Singh from Jaunpur reflect this growing wave of rural entrepreneurship under the Modi-Yogi leadership.
Hailing from Pindrai village in Pindra block of Varanasi, Vikrant Pathak began fish farming on a one-hectare pond. Faced with modest initial returns, he sought guidance from the Fisheries Department and adopted scientific techniques to improve his results. Over time, he expanded his operations to 42 hectares, comprising two hectares of his land and 40 hectares leased, to develop a base for fish farming.
With NABARD’s assistance, Vikrant established an FPO, bringing together 150 fish farmers and providing employment to 30–40 people. On May 27, 2025, a World Bank team also visited his farm, recognizing his efforts. Today, he focuses on fish seed production using scientific methods and maintains a stock of 4.5 to 5 lakh Pangasius seeds, with an annual output of 4,000 to 4,500 quintals across two production cycles. In 2024–25, he is also managing seven lakh Pangasius and 30,000 IMC seeds.
Now earning an annual income of Rs 1 to Rs 1.5 crore, Vikrant is committed to expanding his FPO to include 500 farmers and aims to enhance both the scale and quality of production, contributing to rural development. He credits the Yogi government’s continuous support and vision for his success.
Similarly, Meera Singh, a resident of Budhupur village in Shahganj tehsil’s Suitha Kala block, has emerged as a progressive fish farmer. Starting in 2020–21 with just one acre of land and strong support from her husband, Jainendra Singh, she laid the foundation for her success by constructing a pond and establishing a fish seed hatchery under the Blue Revolution. She received a ₹15 lakh grant from the Fisheries Department to set up the hatchery.
Guided by the department, Meera adopted scientific fish farming practices. Her production grew from just 20 quintals per hectare per year to an impressive 1,400 quintals in 2024–25 across 25 acres. Her pond yields include 1,250 quintals of Pangasius, 60 quintals each of Rohu and Bhakur, and 30 quintals of Mrigal. She now supplies fish seeds to nearby villages and has become a beacon of inspiration for farmers in the region, employing over 10 people.
Through fish farming, youth and women have written a new chapter of success, reflecting the ground-level impact and effectiveness of the Uttar Pradesh government’s schemes. Under the leadership of the state government, the benefits of these initiatives are reaching every section of society. By availing schemes related to fish farming and similar sectors, individuals can not only achieve self-reliance but also actively contribute to the state’s economic growth.
NS Rahmani, Director, Fisheries Department
