From Homemaker to Aquapreneur: The Transformative Journey of Smt. Sujata Bhuyan

In the expansive waters of the Hirakud Reservoir in Odisha’s Sambalpur district, a remarkable story of resilience and transformation is taking shape. At its centre is Smt. Sujata Bhuyan once a homemaker, now a thriving aquapreneur whose journey reflects the rising power of women-led entrepreneurship in rural India.

Motivated by a desire to contribute to her family’s income, Sujata ventured into fish farming under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana. Entering the technically demanding field of reservoir cage culture, she faced early challenges managing water quality, optimizing feed, and balancing household responsibilities. Yet, her determination remained unwavering.

A defining turning point came with the scientific and institutional support of the ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Barrackpore in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries, Government of Odisha. Through structured training programmes on ‘Cage Culture in Reservoirs” conducted at Sambalpur, Sujata gained hands-on exposure to scientific fish stocking, water quality management, disease control, and efficient cage operations. The blend of practical demonstrations and technical guidance equipped her with both the knowledge and confidence to scale her enterprise.

Armed with these skills, Sujata transformed challenges into opportunities. Within just two to three years, her production surged to 25–30 metric tonnes annually, generating an income of ₹7–10 lakh. Beyond financial independence, she emerged as a role model demonstrating how science-led interventions can unlock livelihood opportunities for rural women.

Her inspiring journey reached national recognition when Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted her story in the 132nd episode of Mann Ki Baat, celebrating her as a symbol of grassroots entrepreneurship and women’s empowerment.

Reflecting on her success, Dr Pradip Dey, Director, ICAR-CIFRI, noted that her journey exemplifies how scientific innovation, when effectively delivered at the grassroots, can transform livelihoods. He emphasized that reservoir cage culture holds immense potential for enhancing fish production and income, particularly for women and youth, and highlighted the importance of capacity building and institutional convergence in driving such success stories.

Smt. Sujata Bhuyan’s journey is more than an individual achievement it is a powerful narrative of how science, policy support, and human determination can converge to create sustainable livelihoods. From the calm waters of Hirakud, her story continues to inspire a new wave of aquapreneurs across the country.

(Source: ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Barrackpore, Kolkata)