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Nalbari fish farmer's example of self-employment

By CORRESPONDENT

NALBARI, June 13 � At a time when youths in the State are running after government jobs, a youth of the remote Nankar Bhaira village in Nalbari district has set an example of self-employment through his unique fish farm. The village, which once earned motoriety for the activities of the banned ULFA, has now been transformed into the best fish producing village in the State thanks to the efforts of the youth-Devajit Barman.

The enterprising youth, who was engaged in this profession after his graduation, is not only producing fish but managed to set a record in fish seed production. In the last three months Devajit produced 70 crore fish seedlings of different varieties. The efforts of Devajit for the first time have even challanged the supply from Kolkata to Rangiya fish seed market.

When this correspondent visited the fish farm of Devajit, it was noticed that more than 200 fish seed hawkers were quiuing up in his farm since morning. Devajit said that in the last three months he produced more than 70 crore fish seedlings. �I produced 25 crore Rohu seedlings; 20 crore Mrigal, five crore Catla, 10 crore Grass Carp, five crore Silver Carp and two crore Java Puthi so far,� he said. The fish seed hawkers purchase the seedling from his farm at Rs 600 to 700 for every 200 ml. Devajit further stated that this time he started the fish seed production in March, earlier than the normal seasion. The seed production will be continued till the month of July, he added.

It may be mentioned here that the youth has 11 hectare water area for fish production. Devajit, who has been engaged in this profession for a decade, completed two trainings � one at Lucknow about the endangered species of fish and another during an exposure trip to Andhra Pradesh early this year. Devajit opined that the State Government should develop electrification, irrigation and communication facilities to boost the agricultural production in the State.

�The early fish seedling production in my farm increases the availability of fish seedling in Rangiya market, which posed a threat to the marketers of Kolkata fish seedlings,� Devajit pointed out.

The small fish seed marketers Parsan Ali of Bullut, Mantu Kalita, Amal Medhi of Sondha, Taher Ali of Bezkuchi, Jagat Talukdar of Ghograpar, Munnaf Ali of Dehar Katra, who met at Devait�s farm admitted that they were running their families with the income from Devajit�s fish farm. They all bought fish seeds from his farm and sold them to households in Nalbari, Kamrup and Baksa districts.

It may be mentioned here that if the fishery department of State comes forward to develop the farm as a training centre of fish seeds production, then a large number of youths of this region will be benefitted and the fish production in the State will also increased manifold.

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