What my husband earns in Canada, I earn from integrated farming in Punjab: Amandeep Kaur Dhaliwal | Chandigarh news

Amandeep and her husband Khushpal Singh Sangh, Canadian citizens who are permanent residents of Canada, wanted to focus on agriculture and allied professions. In 2015, they decided to venture into fish farming and trained in fish farming at Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Science University (GADVASU), Ludhiana, where they learned about the potential of integrated farming.

Experts from Gadwasu introduced them to the idea of ​​combining fish farming with pig farming, as waste from one serves as feed for the other. In addition, they discovered that wastewater from fish farming, rich in nutrients, could be efficiently used to cultivate crops, creating a sustainable cycle in their farming operations.

An integrated farming system is a sustainable agricultural model that combines animal husbandry, crop production, fisheries, poultry, tree crops, plantation crops, and other systems that complement each other. It is based on the principle of “there is no waste”, aiming to minimize costs, increase profits and protect the environment.

“After receiving training in fisheries and piggery in Gadwasu, Ludhiana in 2015 and meeting many progressive farmers the same year, we laid the groundwork for our venture. By 2016, we had set up a fish farm on 2.75 acres of land, and a year later, we started a pig farm with 12 female pigs, which were gifted to us by one of our friends,” said Amandeep. She added that the family’s pig farming venture has grown rapidly. Expanded, reaching 400 pigs by 2020.

Not without challenges

Their journey was not without challenges. Pigs require expertise in nutrition and disease management, which they address by relying on local veterinary assistance and using government schemes for swine fever vaccination. With the guidance of experts like experienced pig husbandry consultant Dr Parminder Kaur Lubana, they mastered the balance between quality and quantity. Amandeep’s commitment extends to preparing their own feed and using pig waste as feed for their fish farm, creating a sustainable and integrated ecosystem.

“In the first two years, we did not make any profit from the pig farm; Instead, we faced some losses. However, gradually, we learned to manage pigs effectively, as each age group requires a different feed formula and quantity. For example, pigs have their own diet, fat pigs need a different one, and pregnant pigs need another special diet. After understanding the art of feed management, it becomes manageable,’ she said, although pig feed is very expensive, pig farming gives a good return of 30 to 40 percent.

Supplying about 100 pigs to Gadwasu fulfilled the family’s commitment to quality. Before the pandemic, their pig farm was operating at full capacity with continuous orders. However, the pandemic disrupted their plans, forcing them to sell meat directly to customers when bulk orders for pigs from Assam and Nagaland were canceled due to the lockdown.

“Even in 2018-19, I sold fish worth Rs 1.3 lakh from my fish pond, while the input cost was only Rs 40,000 because I had many pigs, and the fish had excellent diets. As a result, fish that normally grew to 600-700 grams in six months reached this size in three months. We used to sell large quantities of fish every week,” she said. “In 2019, even by selling pigs for meat, they were earning lakhs a month. “Without a Bangur farm, fish production will decrease by more than half,” she said, emphasizing the importance of integrated farming.

Epidemic disruption and aftermath

‘Due to Covid-19, we had to close our pig farm for a year,’ she said, ‘Despite the demand, the lockdown has made it impossible to sell pigs. “But we will never close our fish farm. In fact, we survived it and earned well because of the huge local demand for fish during Covid. “

They reopened their pig farm in 2021, but at the same time, Amandeep had to move to Canada because her husband and two daughters were there. Although far away, she managed her pig and fish farms from Canada, as well as agricultural operations for a year. She returned to Punjab in August this year and took charge of her farming activities.

Amandeep said that when pig farming was stopped during the Covid-19 epidemic, her family survived on fish farming due to high local demand. (Express Photo)

“My pig farm is currently under construction and will reopen in March,” said Amandeep, who worked as an accountant during her stay in Canada and also worked part-time at McDonald’s.

“Even when I was in Canada, my heart was attached to our farm, and when I compared my income from Canada to what I was earning in Punjab, it was not less,” he added, adding that his income here is no less. Her husband is in Canada, although his pig farm is temporarily closed, which has also affected fish production for the time being.

“Integrated farming has many advantages, and it is a very profitable venture,” said Amandeep. She credits her husband for encouraging her to pursue it. “Even though I suffered losses in the beginning, my husband’s encouragement made me successful,” she added.

“Incorporating pig waste and fish farm water into our farm eliminated the need for chemical fertilizers. This sustainable model supported the cultivation of crops such as corn, potatoes, vegetables, and wheat. I also adopted innovative practices like Azolla culture and Bersim for livestock feed. Lemon and banana trees add an organic touch to the farm, while banana leaves help reduce the impact of gas in the fishpond,” she said.

After returning from Canada, she has now planned to do integrated farming and is preparing to open a dairy farm soon. “Pigs can only digest 20 percent of the food they eat, while the remaining 80 percent is excreted almost unchanged. Instead of feeding the fish directly, we feed them to pigs and their waste is used as fish feed in the pond,” she said.

“You don’t just have to go to Canada to make money as there is enough potential here – it just requires dedication and proper management,” she said, stressing that farmers should undergo training for every new venture and stay in touch with experts to maximize profits. Explore new opportunities in farming. “Farmers should stop selling their land to send their children to Canada – they can earn more here,” she advised.

Their fish farm featuring species like goldfish, Cut, Rohu, MuragAnd grass carp, becoming an important contributor to their income, the fish are sold in Punjab and sent to other states.

Dr Ramandeep Kaur, Deputy Project Director, Agriculture Technology Management Agency, Jalandhar commented, “Amandeep’s journey is a testament to the possibilities of integrated farming when tradition meets innovation. She urges other farmers to explore integrated farming methods and advises them to harness its immense potential if approached scientifically. It’s not just about hard work; It’s also about smart work with proper training,” she said.