An increasing number of women farmers are now engaged in fish farming in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, thanks to a new initiative, according to Transform Rural India.

Shail Kumari, a farmer associated with Urra Shobha Purva SHG in the Mihinpurva block of Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, faced challenges in supplying sufficient food grains for her family due to seasonal flooding.

Upon discovering fish farming through Transform Rural India’s Aqua School, Kumari decided to excavate a fish pond in her one bigha land, investing Rs 10,000 with support from the village organisation, while TRI provided fish seed and bird nets. Kumari earned a profit of Rs. 5,000 from her rice production and a total income of Rs. 40,000 from fish farming. Additionally, fish farming reduced pests in the rice crop and eliminated the need for extra fertilisers. Currently, Shail Kumari plans to expand fish farming across her entire field in the future.