Sixteen years ago when Jhalak Jalari of Begnas started to dig a pond to begin a fish hatchery business, everyone laughed at him. But 40-year-old Jalari had the last laugh when he became a successful hatchery owner.

His business is doing so well that he is able to save Rs300,000 every month.

 “Everyone used to laugh at me. Now, the same people appreciate me,” he said.

Jalari started fish hatchery by digging four small ponds. Now, he owns seven ponds covering 18 ropanis of land. He has invested Rs10 million in his hatchery that produces species of common carp, grass carp, rahu and naini. Initially, the Fisheries Research Centre, Pokhara supported him with a Rs1.3 million grant, paid in installments.

Farmers from Kaski, Lamjung, Gorkha, Parbat, Baglung and Syangja come to his hatchery. “In the first five months starting from mid-July, I have sold fingerlings worth Rs1.5 million,” he said. “The prime season for fingerlings business is yet to begin.”

The season for fingerlings business normally begins 3 months after the end of winter season.

 He is expecting big business this year. “Last year, I managed to sell fingerlings worth Rs2 million in a single day,” he said, adding that fingerling prices range from Rs4 to Rs6 depending on the species.

Last year, he sold fingerlings worth Rs7 million. In September, an organisation procured 30,000 fingerlings from his hatchery. He earned Rs150,000 from the order.

He revealed that he gained the confidence to start a fish hatchery business after receiving training on aquaculture from the Fisheries Research Centre. 

He said that he has been rearing fishes which sells for Rs370 per kg. According to Jalari, his hatchery currently has 1.5 million fingerlings and is looking to earn up to Rs8 million from his business this year.

The monthly expenditure of the hatchery is Rs200,00.

After his success in Pokhara, he is planning to open another hatchery in Chitwan.

“I have leased 15 bigas of land to expand this business in Chitwan,” he said.