Daijiworld Media Network – Bihar

Bihar, Apr 22: Life after the Army has taken a rewarding turn for Vikas Kumar Mishra, a retired soldier from Saharsa, Bihar, who is now scripting a remarkable success story in fish farming. Earning over Rs 5 lac annually, Mishra has become a beacon of self-reliance for youth in the region.

A resident of Ward No. 24 under Saharsa Municipal Corporation, Mishra served in the Indian Army for 17 years, joining in 2001 and retiring in 2018. Inspired by his late father—a teacher and post-retirement farmer he returned to his ancestral land with a vision for sustainable agriculture.

Leveraging government schemes like Jal Sanchay Yojana under Jal Jeevan Hariyali Abhiyan, he constructed a pond. With Rs 3.5 lac in support from the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), he launched his fish farming venture.

Today, on just one bigha of land, Mishra cultivates over 25 quintals of fish annually, including varieties like Alankari, Kabai, Katla, Rehu, and Singhi, using eco-friendly bioplank technology. He also grows mango, guava, and litchi trees around the pond for extra income.

To enhance his skills, Mishra underwent six months of training in Kishanganj and Mumbai. “With the right training and proper use of government schemes, our youth can become job creators, not job seekers,” he told IANS.

Mishra’s journey from soldier to successful farmer exemplifies resilience, innovation, and the power of government support in transforming rural livelihoods.