Sunil Kumar, a 45-year-old former Indian Army soldier from Kharakhara village in Rohtak, has turned his retirement into a successful aquaculture venture, earning a net profit of approximately Rs 4 lakh per year after expenses. Since retiring in 2017, he has transformed his two-acre pond into a thriving fish farm that produces nearly eight metric tonnes of fish annually.
From Army to Aquaculture
After leaving the Army, Sunil explored various business opportunities before deciding on fish farming. With only a Class X education, he underwent technical training in freshwater fish farming from the Fisheries Department and specialised training at the Agricultural Research and Training Institute (ARTI) in Hisar. There, he learned scientific pond management, fish seed stocking, nutrition management, and modern aquaculture practices.
In 2020, Sunil launched his venture by stocking 10,000 to 12,000 Indian Major Carps (IMC) fingerlings in his pond. He adopted scientific techniques and regularly sought guidance from the Fisheries Department, which helped him steadily grow the business.
Support and Success
Sunil credits his success to the continuous technical support and expert guidance provided by the Fisheries Department. “The training and timely advice from the department gave me the confidence to succeed in this business,” he said. Deputy Commissioner Sachin Gupta praised Sunil’s journey, stating, “After retiring from the Army, he made prudent use of his retirement corpus and established himself as a successful fish farmer. His journey proves that age is no barrier to becoming a successful entrepreneur.”
Inspiring Others
Beyond securing his own financial future, Sunil is now motivating other ex-servicemen and youngsters to consider fish farming as a viable and dignified profession. He believes that with proper training, modern technology, and government support, aquaculture can become a reliable source of livelihood and income.
Government Schemes and Blue Revolution
Officials noted that Sunil’s success story demonstrates how determination, skill development, and the effective use of government schemes can help create a new identity even after retirement. The Deputy Commissioner highlighted the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), which is accelerating the country’s Blue Revolution by promoting sustainable growth in the fisheries sector.
“The scheme focuses on increasing fish production, enhancing fishermen's income, and creating employment opportunities through support for modern fish farming, cold storage, transportation, processing, and marketing infrastructure. It also provides financial assistance, training, and technical support to fish farmers,” Gupta added.
