Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Punjab Farmer Builds Profitable Zero-Waste Enterprise From Village Ponds
Harbhajan Singh Taggar chose farming instead of taking a regular job after graduating.
He first learned tractor repair and ran a workshop.
In the early 1990s, he turned part of his land into a fish pond.
Over the years, he bought more land and leased village ponds for fish farming.
His farm now raises fish, pigs, goats, chickens and quail.
Waste from the animals helps feed fish or becomes manure for crops.
Used pond water is also sent to the crop fields.
The family sells fish, meat products, pickles and other foods under the Khiala brand.
This system helps the farm earn money while wasting less.
Harbhajan Singh Taggar expanded from a 2.5-acre fish pond into a 19-acre integrated farm.
His enterprise includes aquaculture, wheat and paddy, pigs, goats, poultry, quail and food processing.
He leases about 40 acres of village ponds and pays roughly Rs 20 lakh annually for them.
The farm’s 11 acres of fish ponds generate annual sales of about Rs 25-30 lakh.
Recycling animal waste, pond water and leftover feed helps reduce feed and fertiliser costs.
- Who
- Harbhajan Singh Taggar and his sons, Sukhdeep Singh Taggar and Man-deep Singh, manage the enterprise.
- What
- Taggar developed an integrated farm combining fish farming, crops, livestock, poultry, aquaculture and food processing.
- When
- He began fish farming in the early 1990s, added pig farming in 2007 and goat farming in 2016.
- Where
- The enterprise is based in Malakpur Khiala village in Mansa, Punjab, and includes leased village ponds.
- Why
- He wanted to reinvest farm earnings, expand the enterprise and minimise waste by linking its different activities.
- Owned land
- 19 acres, including 11 acres for fish ponds and aquaculture and eight acres for wheat and paddy.
- Leased ponds
- About 40 acres of village ponds are leased for fish farming.
- Fish production
- Approximately 2.5-3 tonnes per acre.
- Fish sales
- The 11-acre fish operation generates annual sales of about Rs 25-30 lakh.
- Estimated annual savings
- Taggar estimates savings from fish farming at around Rs 50-60 lakh after expenses.
- Livestock
- The farm has around 100 pigs and 100 goats, along with desi poultry and quail.
- Fish varieties
- The farm produces six varieties, including rohu, catla and grass carp.
- Lease cost
- Leased ponds cost approximately Rs 20 lakh per year.