Kashmir,October 10,2026-Raja Amir, an MSc Fisheries graduate from SKUAST-Kashmir, turns his degree into a thriving farm in Sigdi, Mughal Maidan, and shows unemployed youth a way forward.
In the hilly terrain of Sigdi in Mughal Maidan, Kishtwar, the sound of flowing water now signals something more than a mountain stream. It marks a growing fisheries enterprise built by Raja Amir, a young graduate who chose to create a livelihood rather than wait for one.
Raja holds an MSc in Fisheries from the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST-Kashmir). Like many educated young people in the region, he faced a familiar question after completing his degree: where do the jobs come from? Instead of joining the queue for limited government posts, he decided to put his training to work on his own land, with support from the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
From classroom to farm
Years of studying fish biology, water quality, feed management and disease control gave Raja a technical grounding that many first-time fish farmers lack. Setting up a farm in a remote, high-altitude area, however, called for more than textbook knowledge. He had to choose a suitable site, ensure a steady flow of clean water, build ponds or raceways and select fish species suited to the local climate.
Cold-water regions such as Kishtwar are naturally suited to species like trout, and the area’s perennial streams offer an advantage that lowland farmers often lack. Raja’s academic background helped him plan the farm scientifically, from stocking density to feeding schedules and health monitoring.
Support under PMMSY
Launched by the Government of India, PMMSY aims to promote the sustainable development of the fisheries sector, raise fish production and productivity, improve incomes and create jobs, particularly in rural areas. The scheme offers financial assistance for activities such as setting up farms, hatcheries, feed units and cold-chain facilities.
For Raja, the scheme’s support proved decisive. Starting a fisheries unit demands considerable upfront investment in infrastructure, seed and feed, and that capital is often the biggest hurdle for young entrepreneurs. Assistance under PMMSY reduced that burden and allowed him to turn his plan into a working farm.
Creating jobs at home
The benefits reach beyond Raja himself. A functioning fish farm requires labour for feeding, cleaning, harvesting and transport. As the enterprise grows, it can offer local youth work in their own village, reducing the pressure to migrate to cities for jobs. It also adds to the supply of fresh fish in a region that has traditionally depended on supplies from outside.
Local residents see the farm as proof that modern, science-based enterprise can take root even in remote mountain areas.
A message to unemployed youth
Raja’s story carries a clear message for the many graduates searching for opportunities. Government schemes exist to support young people with ideas, but many remain unaware of them or hesitant to apply. His advice to peers is to look at their own surroundings, identify resources such as land and water, and approach the relevant departments for guidance on available support.
Self-employment is not without risk. Fish farming demands daily attention, careful management and patience, and early returns can be modest. Yet those who commit to learning the work and building steadily can create stable incomes and lasting assets.
A model for Kishtwar
As unemployment remains a concern across Jammu and Kashmir, stories like Raja’s offer a practical model. Education, access to a government scheme and a willingness to start small can together produce a viable business. His farm in Sigdi stands as an example of how local resources and local talent can be combined to generate growth.
For a district known for its natural beauty and rivers, the rise of a young fish farmer is a fitting development. Raja Amir has shown that a degree need not end in a job application. It can begin with a pond, a plan and the courage to start.
