I am a farmer by my grandparents’ profession, and we are blessed to have agricultural land. Being a crop grower and seeing our parents deeply involved in agriculture is a privilege that I know many of us don’t have.
My parents migrated to the city for a better living, but we never left our roots in the village.
But what’s the current condition of my village and nearby in Bihar?
Once known for its fertile lands and abundant resources, Bihar is now facing an alarming crisis.
The youth, who were once the lifeblood of our agricultural heritage, are moving away from farming.
Why?
Because there’s no livelihood in it anymore. With limited opportunities and outdated practices, agriculture no longer seems like a viable career option.
The result?
A mass exodus of youth and educated individuals leaving agriculture behind, seeking greener pastures elsewhere.
This migration has not only weakened our agricultural foundation but also led to severe consequences.
One of the most devastating effects has been the degradation of fertile land.
Overutilization of the topsoil by brick kilns (ईंटा भट्ठा ) has rendered vast stretches of land non-fertile.
The very soil that once fed us is now being stripped of its life.
I saw this challenge as an opportunity to make a difference.
The lands were ready to quickly start fish farms as they were deep and almost ready with very minimum effort, creating a pond was easy and cheap.
On visits, I have first started convincing others to take a step forward, but as is often the case, who wants to start first?
So, I decided to invest and set up a modern farm by my own, blending traditional knowledge with innovative practices.
What happened next?
In just one year, the results were visible, and so were the changes in people’s attitudes.
My efforts sparked interest, and soon, the village saw 10 new fishery startups within two years.
This was more than just personal success—it was a ripple effect that revived hope in our community.
But was it all smooth sailing?
Not exactly. I was living 1000km far from my farms, managing my business and agriculture was not that easy, I failed with my later crops due to my shared focus & long distance.
My mindset wasn’t prepared for the challenges, and I faced difficulties that I hadn’t anticipated.
But that failure didn’t break me. In fact, it taught me more than any success ever could.
So, am I satisfied?
Sometimes, you don’t do everything for money. Sometimes, you just want to leave your footprints. This was my footprint 👣
