{
  "id": 2760291,
  "title": "From village ponds to a farm where nothing goes to waste, generates lakhs in profit",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/from-village-ponds-to-a-farm-where-nothing-goes-to-waste-generates",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-08-23T09:02:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express",
    "slug": "the-indian-express",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/mansa-farmer-integrated-fish-farming-aquaculture-success-story-10845963/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In the 1980s, Harbhajan Singh Taggar, now 60, chose an unconventional career path after graduating. He learned tractor repair and continued to farm his family's land. Taggar saw an opportunity in the village ponds, or chhappars, and began leasing them for fish farming. Over four decades, his experiment has transformed into an integrated farm covering 19 acres of his own land and 40 acres of leased ponds. The farm houses fish, pigs, goats, poultry, crops, and a food processing unit. Taggar carefully selects which ponds can support commercial fish production, while others are developed or avoided due to issues like sewage inflow or encroachment. Starting with nine acres, Taggar expanded his fish farming operation to 11 acres, which now generates annual sales of Rs 25-30 lakh. The remaining land is used for wheat, paddy, and a hatchery that produces fish seed sold to other farmers. Taggar has also integrated piggery, goat farming, and poultry into his enterprise, utilizing waste from one animal to feed another and minimize waste. The farm's products, including fish, pork, goat meat, and poultry, are processed under the Khiala brand. Taggar's farm has grown from a humble start to a profitable enterprise, attracting recognition and visitors.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}