Pakyong, Sikkim – The inspiring Khem Kumar Chettri fish farming story reached a new milestone when he was honoured with the prestigious Best Fish Farmer Award during the 25th Fish Farmers Day celebration held in Tripura. This recognition celebrates his dedication to sustainable aquaculture and his role in transforming rural livelihoods in Sikkim. At just 31, Khem Kumar Chettri has become a symbol of success, showing how youth can lead the way in modern farming through hard work, innovation, and purpose. Meet Khem Kumar Chettri, a progressive farmer from Kamarey village in Duga Block, Pakyong District, whose journey from an ITI-trained youth to a national award-winning fish farmer is nothing short of inspirational.
For Khem Kumar Chettri, farming is not just a profession — it’s a way of life rooted in self-reliance, innovation, and community service. His story speaks volumes about what the youth of India can achieve with a little support, a strong will, and a love for the land.
The Humble Beginnings
Born and brought up in the hills of Sikkim, Khem Kumar Chettri studied at PM SHRI Tikala Niroula Govt. Senior Secondary School, Central Pendam. After completing his basic education, he enrolled in an Industrial Training Institute (ITI) to gain technical skills with hopes of securing a job. But as he observed the saturation in the job market and the challenges of urban life, he made a decision that surprised many—he chose to stay back and farm.
The Khem Kumar Chettri Fish Farming Story
With a small landholding of just 0.809 hectares, many would have dismissed the idea of commercial farming. But Khem saw it as a challenge worth taking. He began experimenting with fish farming, particularly ornamental and carp fish culture, areas that had not yet reached their potential in the state.
Initially, it wasn’t easy. Lack of infrastructure, limited access to quality fish seeds, and no prior experience were huge obstacles. But Khem wasn’t one to give up. With guidance from the Department of Fisheries, Government of Sikkim, he began attending training programs and workshops. He learned about scientific breeding techniques, disease control, quality input management, and sustainable aquaculture methods.
Slowly but surely, he built a model fish farm, complete with improved tanks, breeding units, and scientific management practices.
The Khem Kumar Chettri Fish Farming Story: Awards
Khem’s efforts began to bear fruit not only in the form of good harvests but also in recognition. In 2023, he was conferred the “Progressive Ornamental Fish Farmer Award” by the Directorate of Fisheries, Government of Sikkim, on the occasion of World Fisheries Day.
His biggest achievement came in July 2025, when he bagged the prestigious “Best Fish Farmer Award” at the 25th Fish Farmers Day, jointly organized by the College of Fisheries, Tripura and the North East Society for Fisheries and Aquaculture (NESFA). These honours didn’t just recognise his productivity, but his innovative mindset, entrepreneurial spirit, and dedication to sustainable rural livelihoods.
More Than Just Fish: A Model of Integrated Farming
What makes Khem Kumar Chettri’s journey even more remarkable is his commitment to diversification. He didn’t stop at aquaculture. Today, his small piece of land is a model of integrated farming:
- Apiculture: He manages 55 beehive boxes, contributing to local honey production and pollination support.
- Dairy Farming: With a herd of Jersey and Siri cows, he produces milk for both personal use and sale.
- Banana Cultivation: Rows of banana plants add another layer of income and food security.
His farm is not just a business; it’s a living, breathing ecosystem that sustains both nature and livelihoods.
Empowering Others Along the Way
One of the most inspiring aspects of Khem’s story is his role as a resource person in the field of fisheries and beekeeping. Over the past few years, he has trained numerous local farmers, helping them start their own ventures in aquaculture and apiculture. With support from the state government, he continues to mentor young farmers, particularly those who are unsure about staying in villages or making agriculture their main profession.
Khem Kumar Chettri’s life is a powerful answer to the question: Can farming be a respectable, profitable, and fulfilling profession in today’s India? The answer, clearly, is yes.
In an era where farming is often seen as a last resort, his success story offers hope and a roadmap. It shows how government schemes, when utilised properly, combined with local knowledge and hard work, can transform rural India.
A Call to Recognise and Replicate
Khem Kumar Chettri’s journey is not just his own. It represents the untapped potential in India’s villages, especially in the northeastern states where natural resources and talent are abundant. What’s needed now is greater visibility, institutional support, and recognition for such grassroots champions. If India is to truly become self-reliant (Atmanirbhar), then stories like his must be shared, celebrated, and scaled.
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In Kamarey village, amidst the rolling hills of Pakyong, a young man in a pair of worn-out boots walks through his fish tanks and bee boxes, feeding his fish, checking honeycombs, and planning the next season’s banana crop. Khem Kumar Chettri doesn’t wear a corporate badge, but he wears something greater — the badge of dignity, of resilience, and of a farmer who dared to dream differently.