For Sujata Bhuyan, a homemaker from Odisha’s Sambalpur district, a visit to the Hirakud Reservoir opened the door to an entirely new career. What began as a way to contribute to her family’s income gradually developed into a fish-farming business that now produces 25 to 30 metric tonnes of fish annually and earns her between Rs 7 lakh and Rs 10 lakh a year.Her journey is an example of how women can build livelihoods by learning new skills, adopting technology and making use of opportunities in their local surroundings. Bhuyan entered a field that required technical knowledge, financial investment and considerable time away from home. With training and institutional support, she gradually learned to manage the challenges and grow her enterprise. Her success also reached a national audience when Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted her journey in the 132nd episode of his radio programme, Mann Ki Baat, in March 2026.
A visit to Hirakud sparked a business idea
Bhuyan began exploring fish farming in 2022 after seeing cage-based fish cultivation in the Hirakud Reservoir. Instead of viewing the activity simply as something others were doing, she saw an opportunity to create an additional source of income for her family. She chose a method known as cage culture, in which fish are raised inside enclosed, netted structures placed in a natural water body. The cages allow water to flow through while keeping the fish within a designated space. Farmers can manage stocking, feeding and harvesting within these enclosures.The idea offered potential, but turning it into a business required more than enthusiasm. Fish farming depends on several factors, including water conditions, suitable feed, fish health and the ability to manage daily operations. Bhuyan also had to balance her new venture with household responsibilities. Weather changes and difficulties in arranging fish feed during the early stages added to the pressure. According to The New Indian Express, she approached the Fisheries Department for formal training before starting her enterprise with the help of a bank loan. Her project was estimated to cost Rs 54 lakh, and she was eligible for a 60 per cent subsidy under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, subject to the scheme’s terms.
How scientific training helped her grow
One of the important turning points in Bhuyan’s journey was access to technical guidance from the ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CIFRI), Barrackpore, in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries, Government of Odisha. Through training in reservoir cage culture, she learned practical aspects of fish stocking, water quality management, disease control and the operation of fish cages. This knowledge helped her understand how to manage the farm more systematically instead of relying only on trial and error.The support mattered because cage fish farming involves regular monitoring. Fish need appropriate feed and suitable water conditions to grow, while poor management can affect their health and production. Learning these practices gave Bhuyan the skills to deal with problems and make more informed decisions about her business. Her experience reflects the role that scientific institutions can play in helping people enter unfamiliar occupations. Access to training can make technical knowledge more practical for first-time entrepreneurs, particularly those who may not have previous experience in a specialised field. Within two to three years, Bhuyan had expanded her operation to produce 25 to 30 metric tonnes of fish annually. ICAR reports that her annual income reached Rs 7 lakh to Rs 10 lakh.
From household income to a thriving enterprise
Building the fish farm required a substantial financial commitment. The reported project cost of Rs 54 lakh meant that Bhuyan had to arrange funding rather than depend on a small initial investment. According to reports, she took a bank loan of Rs 30 lakh and invested the remaining amount from her savings, while the eligible subsidy was to be provided in phases.The financial details offer an important perspective on her achievement. Fish farming at this scale is not simply a low-cost home activity. It requires investment, access to technical support and the ability to manage production and sales. Her results show what can be achieved when these elements come together, though they do not mean every new fish farmer will earn the same amount.Bhuyan’s business is also part of a wider effort to develop cage-based fisheries in the Hirakud Reservoir. Odisha has been promoting reservoir fish farming as a way to increase fish production and create opportunities for entrepreneurs. The approach has the potential to support livelihoods, but its success depends on sound farm management and responsible oversight of the reservoir environment. ICAR-CIFRI has separately worked with the Odisha Fisheries Department on environmental and aquatic animal health monitoring in the reservoir.
A story of learning, confidence and opportunity
When Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned Bhuyan on Mann Ki Baat, her journey became an example of how rural entrepreneurship can grow through determination and the willingness to learn. The recognition also drew attention to the possibilities within India’s fisheries sector, where scientific practices and institutional support can help people develop new livelihoods. Bhuyan’s experience challenges the idea that a homemaker’s economic contribution must remain limited to household work. She identified an opportunity, sought training, arranged financing and built the skills needed to operate a business in a technically demanding field.Her journey also offers a practical lesson for aspiring entrepreneurs: spotting an opportunity is only the beginning. Learning the process, understanding the risks, arranging funds and developing a reliable market are all essential to building a sustainable enterprise. From observing fish farming at Hirakud to producing tonnes of fish each year, Sujata Bhuyan has turned a new skill into a substantial source of income. Her story shows how the right combination of local opportunity, technical knowledge and support can help women take a more active role in their family’s finances and in the rural economy.
