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Key Points

Vikas Kumar Mishra, a retired army soldier from Saharsa, has transformed his life through innovative fish farming on his ancestral land. By leveraging government schemes like Jal Sanchay Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, he now earns over Rs 5 lakh annually. His success story demonstrates how strategic training and agricultural innovation can create sustainable livelihoods. Mishra's journey serves as an inspiring example for youth seeking alternative paths to economic independence.

Key Points: Retired Soldier Vikas Mishra Transforms Fish Farming in Bihar

  • Retired soldier turns family land into profitable fish farming venture
  • Utilizes government schemes for agricultural innovation
  • Produces over 25 quintals of fish annually
  • Combines multiple income streams with fruit tree cultivation
2 min read

Retired Armyman inspires youth, earns good money through fish farming in Saharsa

Army veteran earns Rs 5 lakh through innovative fish farming, inspiring youth in Saharsa with sustainable agriculture techniques

"With the right training and proper use of government schemes, our youth can become job creators, not job seekers - Vikas Kumar Mishra"

Saharsa, April 22

Life after the Army took a transformative turn for Vikas Kumar Mishra, a retired soldier from Saharsa, who is now scripting a remarkable success story in fish farming. With an annual income exceeding Rs 5 lakh, Mishra has become an inspiration for countless youths in Bihar seeking self-reliance through agriculture.

A resident of Ward 24 under Saharsa Municipal Corporation, Mishra served the Indian Army with distinction for 17 years, enlisting in 2001 and retiring in 2018. Post-retirement, he decided to return to his roots—his ancestral land—and began cultivating not just crops, but hope.

Motivated by memories of his late father, a teacher who also farmed after retirement, Mishra turned their family land into a thriving centre of agricultural innovation.

He utilised the Jal Sanchay Yojana under the Jal Jeevan Hariyali Abhiyan to construct a pond and further benefited from Rs 3.5 lakh in government aid through the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) to launch his fish farming venture.

On just one bigha of land, Mishra now produces over 25 quintals of fish annually. His pond teems with species like Alankari, Kabai, Katla, Rehu, and Singhi—sourced from West Bengal—and nurtured using eco-friendly bioplank technology.

To enhance his expertise, Mishra underwent six months of specialised training in Kishanganj and Mumbai. Around his pond, he has also planted fruit trees—mango, guava, and litchi—that provide an additional stream of income.

"With the right training and proper use of government schemes, our youth can become job creators, not job seekers," Mishra told IANS.

His journey from soldier to sustainable farmer exemplifies the spirit of resilience and innovation. Today, Vikas Mishra stands as a beacon of possibility—not only for Saharsa but for aspiring entrepreneurs across Bihar.

Several schemes aim to support farming in India. Key schemes include the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) for direct income support, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) for crop insurance, and the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) for irrigation. Other important schemes are the National Mission on Edible Oils (NMEO), the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF), and the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF).

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul S.
What an inspiring story! 👏 It's amazing how he's using his military discipline to build a successful farming business. More veterans should consider agriculture as a second career.
P
Priya M.
The article mentions government schemes but doesn't explain how easy/difficult they are to access. Would love to hear more about the application process and challenges he faced.
A
Amit K.
My uncle tried fish farming too but failed due to lack of knowledge. Mishra ji's story shows the importance of proper training. Maybe I'll convince him to try again!
S
Sunita R.
The combination of fish farming with fruit trees is brilliant! 🎯 Creates multiple income streams and is sustainable. More farmers should adopt this integrated approach.
V
Vijay P.
Respect to this soldier-turned-farmer! But I wonder if 5 lakh/year is really "good money" considering the effort involved? Still, the satisfaction must be priceless.
N
Neha T.
This gives me hope for rural India! 🌱 We need more success stories like this to show youth that agriculture can be profitable with the right approach and technology.

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