Retired policeman making handsome income from rainbow trout fish trade

Parbat, Nov 27: At the time when the country is witnessing hundreds of youths leaving for greener pastures, a retired policeman and former people's representative has set an example that one can earn handsomely in own country through self-employment.

Bikash Timilsina of Deupur of Modi rural municipality-2 in Parbat district runs a fish firm in his locality and claims he fetches a handsome income from the sales of trout fish.

Timilsina, who has served in police service for 21 years and five years as a ward Chairperson of Modi-2 Deupur, proudly shared that his enterprise earns him Rs 30 million annually. 

The enterprise named Modi Rainbow Trout Firm, run in partnership with four other local investors, spans across 30 ropani (1.52 hectares) at the source of Pati Khola at Timure at Modi-5. It has a capacity of producing 30 tonnes fish from altogether 37 small and big ponds across the firm.

A kilogramme of rainbow trout is being sold at Rs 1,000 currently, according to him.

Timilsina mentioned that that his firm has been receiving some technical support from the Agriculture Knowledge Centre in Parbat while the Fishery Development Centre in the district has been providing financial assistance for constructing ponds and upgrading firms

After retiring from the police service as the Assistant police inspector, he got to serve as a people's representatives for five years. He ventured into enterprises simultaneously while serving public.

At present after retirement, he is fully dedicated to his enterprise which supplies his produces to Kushma market and other market places such as Pokhara and Kathmandu.

The firm established in 2071 BS is emerging as a sought-after place for students of colleges and schools and clubs interested in fishery, he said.

In the initial days, his firm suffered a heavy financial loss incurred from a massive flood. He then shifted his firm to nearby area and ran the enterprise infusing more investment from local investors namely Yam Prasad Sharma, Prem Poudel, Rajesh Shahi and Raju Khadka. 

Since then there has been no turning back to this enterprising individual who provides employment to five other youths. At present, he saves Rs 1.5 million from the gross income, he divulged. 

In a bid to expand the scope his business, he recently started producing fish eggs (roe) in his farm.

His success is a powerful testament to the potential of self-employment in our own country. (RSS)