Returnee entrepreneur finds success in fish farming, earns national recognition

Mahendranagar: Vijay Kumar Chaudhary of Laljhadi Rural Municipality-4, Kanchanpur, who returned home after seven years of foreign employment in Malaysia, is now actively engaged in fish farming.

Having established a strong reputation in fish production within the district, Chaudhary was selected as the best farmer by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forest and Environment on the 15th of this month. He received the National Best Farmer Award along with a cash prize of Rs 200,000 from President Ram Chandra Poudel. The recognition has further strengthened his passion for agriculture.

Chaudhary has created employment opportunities for 15 individuals through his enterprise. “Receiving the honor from the President has given me added encouragement,” he said, adding that he plans to expand his business to provide more employment opportunities for local youth in agricultural and production-oriented work.

For the past seven years, he has been engaged in fish farming on three bighas of land in Sikalpatti Jai, where he has constructed fish ponds. He stated that he plans to lease an additional five bighas of land in the near future to expand his operations.

“I am selling 45 quintals of fish annually,” he said, adding that after deducting all expenses, he is able to save up to Rs 950,000 per year.

Chaudhary emphasized that the government should create a supportive environment for fish production and marketing.