When scores of nurses from Kerala leave their homeland to build careers abroad, a nurse from Wayanad has chosen sustainable farming in Kerala after leaving her overseas nursing career.
Sindhu Jobish of Pulpally in Wayanad is now a successful farmer running an integrated farm that includes two fish farms on a 16-acre property in Pulpally. Her decision to leave nursing and take up farming in Kerala along with her husband has turned out to be a huge success, with the farm drawing widespread attention for its innovative and eco-friendly farming methods.
After returning to Wayanad, Sindhu sought the support of the Fisheries Department to set up two fish farms that now cultivate several varieties of fish, including tilapia, grass carp, pearl spot, catfish and murrel. The couple mainly focuses on murrel and tilapia because of their high local demand.
Sindhu said the decision to shift to aquaculture came after repeated crop destruction caused by wild animals entering the farmland from nearby forest areas. Instead of abandoning agriculture, the couple adopted a mixed farming model that combines fish farming with paddy cultivation. Their fish farms now produce fish throughout the year, attracting customers daily from nearby regions. They are also planning to open a dedicated fish outlet soon.
Apart from aquaculture, the farm is home to nearly 4,000 bamboo plants representing around 56 varieties sourced from Andhra Pradesh, Pune and local nurseries. Bamboo plantations around the ponds and boundaries help prevent soil erosion, drought damage and landslides, especially in the climate-sensitive border region.
The lush green farm has become a local attraction, with many visitors arriving to see the bamboo groves and fish ponds.
