The agricultural produce is not enough to meet Vivek’s family’s requirements. He works as a daily wage worker to make ends meet apart from agriculture.

Vivek is a smallholder farmer from Dubiha, gram panchayat from Mavaiya kala Block Shankargarh District of Prayagraj U.P India. He always looks for learning opportunities to upscale his income and optimises his existing resources. He also joined the farmers club promoted by the Saksham programme in his village to gain benefits and upgrade his knowledge of different agricultural practices.

Vivek took part in an exposure visit at Kanpur where he learnt about different income sources like agriculture, livestock, horticulture, goat rearing, chicken farming and fish farming. This exposure broadened his understanding of agriculture and allied activities for the livelihood enhancement of the smallholder farmer.

After returning from the exposure visit his interest towards allied agriculture activities has increased. He started taking an interest in fish farming considering his small patch of land which could be converted into a fish pond. Meantime, once again he got the opportunity to be of part of three days training at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Agriculture University Naini, Allahabad. This experience about fisheries strengthens his thoughts as he learnt how to start a fish nursery and grow them, its mortality rate and other necessary things required for developing a fishery.

He gathered all the necessary information and training on fisheries and approached Panchayat for help in digging a pond. He submitted an application to the panchayat for digging a pond in his land which got approved. Once the approval was received, he started digging a pond in his land through MNREGA. 

Vivek’s engagement in the Saksham programme activities made him selected for the livelihood restoration program under EKIKARN program. He received Rs. 15000/- to start a business for his livelihood restoration. EKIKARAN was initiated to support the returnee migrants and smallholder farmers of Saksham villages. With this support fund, he bought 7500 fish seedlings (5000 Rohu, and 2500 Bhakur fish). These species grow very fast and within 6.5 months, they grow up to 0.9 kg each in weight. The mortality of these fish is around 10% only therefore it was the best option for him to begin with. It is because the investment cost is less and the profit is more. 

He started his fish farming business in the month of April 2022 and by October 2022 his fishes were ready for sale. Within 6.5 months he earned Rs. 3,31,500 after deducting the 10% fish mortality. This was much higher than he expected.

“I now have the capital to invest in other agriculture-allied activities to increase my income,” says Vivek with gratitude. 

This experiment on livelihood enhancement and restoration to the smallholder farmer was a great success. The smallholder farmer has really benefited from the initiative and set a benchmark for the other farmers.