Sri Muktsar Sahib, Punjab: In the saline, waterlogged fields of Inna Khera village where traditional wheat and paddy crops had repeatedly failed, Rupinder Kaur has scripted a remarkable turnaround. The Punjab woman farmer has successfully transformed unproductive land into a thriving shrimp aquaculture venture, emerging as an inspiring example of agricultural diversification and women-led entrepreneurship in the state.
Rupinder, a graduate in fashion designing and cosmetology, along with her husband Manjinder Singh Sandhu and in-laws, faced declining yields on their 5.5-acre family land due to high salinity and persistent waterlogging. Conventional farming had become unsustainable by 2021. A turning point came when officials from the Punjab Fisheries Department promoted shrimp farming as a viable alternative for such challenging soils during awareness camps.
After completing a seven-day training programme, the family took the bold step of venturing into aquaculture. They invested heavily — around ₹8–10 lakh per acre — in pond excavation, aerators, electricity connections, shrimp seeds, and feed. As a woman farmer, Rupinder availed a 60% government subsidy, supplemented by a ₹15 lakh bank loan and family savings.
Their maiden harvest in 2021 exceeded expectations, enabling them to recover the initial investment quickly. Encouraged by the success, the family purchased an additional 8 acres in nearby Bahadur Khera village. Today, they operate on more than 35 acres, including leased land, with annual profits running into several lakhs per acre.
The farm primarily rears Litopenaeus vannamei (Pacific white shrimp), which reaches marketable size of 30–35 grams within 100–120 days. With yields of 3–5 tonnes per acre per cycle and often two cycles a year, the operation generates substantial returns. Market prices hover between ₹400–450 per kg, translating into approximately ₹12 lakh in sales per acre per cycle. After operational costs of around ₹6 lakh, net profits stand at ₹7–8 lakh per acre annually.
The family employs biofloc technology in a dedicated half-acre nursery to rear seeds before transferring them to open ponds. Probiotics, continuous aeration, and round-the-clock water quality monitoring are critical to maintaining health. Seeds are sourced from Andhra Pradesh, and the operation runs with strict scientific management. To diversify income, the farm also maintains a dairy unit with 15 buffaloes and two cows.
Shrimp farming here is labour-intensive, with family members feeding the shrimp four or more times daily and overseeing operations continuously. The unit employs four permanent workers and sells produce directly to buyers, avoiding middlemen.
Rupinder’s journey highlights the potential of inland shrimp farming in Punjab, which began gaining traction around 2016. It has converted wasteland into high-value assets while generating local employment. Her efforts were recognised at the 2025 Republic Day celebrations in Delhi.
“Shrimp farming revived our unproductive land and gave me a meaningful purpose,” Rupinder says. “Without the support of my family and the Fisheries Department, I would never have entered this field.”
Her story underscores how innovation and government support can help farmers adapt to environmental challenges like soil salinity caused by prolonged irrigation, offering a sustainable model for Punjab’s agrarian economy. As more farmers explore such alternatives, Rupinder Kaur stands out as a pioneer who turned adversity into opportunity.
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