When Subuhi Naaz lost her husband in 1997 after just three years of marriage, her life turned upside down. With a one-year-old son to care for, she quickly sought a stable income and opened a small ready-to-wear garment store in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, in January 1998. This modest business allowed her to live comfortably and educate her son, Abdul Rehman.
Everything changed for Subuhi when Abdul graduated in Fishery Science and began working at the ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education in Kolkata. He encouraged his mother to explore fish farming and apply for a project under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
“Abdul phoned me one day and explained the prospects of fish farming. He also guided me about applying for a project under the PMMSY,” recalls Subuhi, an arts graduate from Banaras Hindu University (BHU).
From Garment Store to Fishery Empire A Single Mother’s Fish Farm Achieves Rs Lakh in Turnover
Despite knowing little about aquaculture, Subuhi decided to take the plunge in 2020-21. After purchasing one bigha of land in Majhwan village, she constructed eight concrete tanks and started raising Pangasius, commonly known as silver catfish. Although her first attempt resulted in significant losses due to lack of experience, Subuhi quickly learned from her mistakes.
With improved techniques, she achieved impressive yields of 30.2 tonnes in FY23 and 36.4 tonnes in FY24, making her one of the largest fish producers in Uttar Pradesh. Subuhi’s success earned her the National Fish Farmers’ Award in 2024, and she now operates multiple ponds with a turnover of Rs45 lakh.
Subuhi’s journey from a garment store owner to a successful fish farmer is a testament to her resilience and adaptability. Her story also highlights the immense potential of women in aquaculture, especially with the right support and guidance.
Source-30stades.com
