Archive · 7 Aug 2026
Andhra Pradesh farmer earns ₹15 lakh with Fish Paddy Model
A farmer in India named Venkataratnam makes money by growing food in a very clever way.
He grows rice, keeps fish in a pond, and grows fruits like coconut and dragon fruit on the same land.
He does not use chemical fertilisers or pesticides.
Instead, he uses cow dung, cow urine, and plant extracts to feed his crops and protect them.
His clever farm earns him around 15 lakh rupees every year.
Fish and rice from his farm are sold to make money.
People from other countries, like Kenya, visit his farm to learn how he does it.
He has been teaching farmers for free for 15 years, and more than 30 nearby farmers now use his ideas.
His story shows that farming can be good for nature and still make money.
Venkataratnam, a 54-year-old farmer from Eluru district, earns up to ₹15 lakh annually using the Fish Paddy Model.
The model integrates paddy cultivation, fish farming and horticulture across 1.5 acres of his 9.5-acre farm.
He uses natural farming methods without chemical fertilisers or pesticides, preparing Jeevamrutham from his six cows.
He released 10,000 fish fingerlings about five months ago and has sold around two tonnes of fish for approximately ₹1.7 lakh.
More than 30 neighbouring farmers have adopted the model, and visitors from 11 countries, including Kenya, have studied his techniques.
- Who
- Venkataratnam, a 54-year-old farmer and Zonal Coordinator with Andhra Pradesh Community Managed Natural Farming (APCNF) from Eluru district
- What
- Earns up to ₹15 lakh annually using the Fish Paddy Model, which combines paddy cultivation, fish farming and horticulture with natural farming methods
- When
- Current period; he has practised natural farming since 2007 and developed the Fish Paddy Model in 2019, with fish released about five months ago
- Where
- Eluru district, Andhra Pradesh, India
- Why
- To demonstrate that natural, chemical-free farming can be sustainable and profitable with lower costs and multiple income streams
- Farmer
- Venkataratnam, 54 years old
- Location
- Eluru district, Andhra Pradesh
- Annual income
- Up to ₹15 lakh (≈₹4 lakh from Fish Paddy Model, ≈₹11 lakh from paddy)
- Model area
- 1.5 acres of 9.5-acre farm; 70 cents paddy, 40-cent fish pond, 40 cents horticulture
- Fish species
- Rohu, Murrel, Roopchand, Catla
- Fish sales
- ≈2 tonnes sold for ≈₹1.7 lakh; ≈600 kg remain, Murrel at ≈₹400/kg
- Setup cost
- ₹1.8–2 lakh for 1.5 acres; ≈₹18 lakh to expand to the full farm
- Adoption
- 30+ neighbouring farmers; visitors from 11 countries including Kenya