Kalimpong Couple Pioneers Sustainable Aquaponics, Blending Innovation with Eco-Friendly Farming

KalimNews | July 1, 2025 | Kalimpong : In an inspiring testament to innovation, sustainability, and local enterprise,  Binay  Kumar Kamti and his wife Michaelene Sarkar of 8th Mile, Lower Briddle Road, Kalimpong, have established a thriving aquaponics system over 600 square feet of farmland, setting a new benchmark in integrated farming in the hill district. 

For the past six months, the couple has been cultivating a variety of vegetables while simultaneously rearing ornamental and exotic fish, embodying a harmonious blend of agriculture and aquaculture that emphasizes resource efficiency and environmental responsibility.

Their aquaponics venture features a diverse cultivation of crops including peas, tomatoes, chillies, and marigolds, supported by prior experience in growing lettuce, capsicum, brinjal, cucumber, and bitter gourd through aquaponics at another location. This extensive knowledge base has enabled them to refine their current system, optimizing both plant health and fish yield.

In the aquatic segment of their integrated system, the Sarkars rear a wide array of aquarium fish species such as koi carp, guppy, molly, goldfish, zebra, tetra, and tiger shark. They have also taken on the breeding of more exotic species including discus, arowana, feather fish, angel fish, and various types of cichlids.

Complementing their farming activities, the couple also offers customized aquarium installations and guppy breeding services, catering to individual enthusiasts and commercial clients.

The aquaponics system they employ operates on a closed-loop model where nutrient-rich wastewater from the fish tanks is utilized to nourish the plants, and in turn, the plants purify the water before it is recirculated. This symbiotic process results in faster production of vegetables, fish, and even ornamental flowers, all while conserving water and reducing environmental impact.

Driven by a clear vision for the future, the Sarkars are now expanding their efforts. They plan to construct an Aquarium House in memory of Mrs. Sarkar’s late father, Lt. Kripan Sarkar, a well-respected figure in North Bengal’s aquarium fish culture community. The couple is also developing a homestay to promote eco-tourism, inviting visitors to engage with sustainable farming practices first-hand. Their efforts include raising local chicken breeds—currently seven in number—and beginning infrastructure for mushroom cultivation.

Further diversifying their sustainable farming model, the Sarkars aim to introduce hydroponic farming using vertical tower stands to grow leafy vegetables without soil. They have conceptualized an innovative approach to utilize excess drip water from their aquaponics system to grow underground crops like potatoes and carrots beneath the main setup. In an ambitious expansion of aquaculture, they are considering the rearing of cold-water food fish species such as trout (Asala) and mahseer (Katley), as well as breeding loaches—known locally as Garela—a distinctive indigenous aquarium species from the Kalimpong region.

Remarkably, within just six months, their aquaponics initiative has generated over ₹3 lakh in revenue through a combination of vegetable and fish sales and custom aquarium installations. Their efforts reflect the potential of sustainable and integrated farming systems in hilly terrains and serve as a motivational model for aspiring entrepreneurs and environmental advocates across the region.

The Sarkars’ contributions have garnered praise from district authorities. Sumanta Biswas, District Fisheries Officer of Kalimpong, commended the couple’s commitment to innovation in aquaponics and confirmed that the Fisheries Department is actively supporting their endeavor with necessary resources. 

District Magistrate Balasubramanian T. has also expressed a strong commitment to encouraging dynamic entrepreneurs in the district by offering comprehensive support through coordinated efforts across departments such as Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Resource Development (ARD), Fisheries, Tourism, and PBSSD.

In a significant gesture of recognition, Biswas has proposed instituting an annual award in memory of the late Kripan Sarkar to honor one outstanding fish farmer for excellence in fish farming and promoting fisheries in Kalimpong. The Sarkars have graciously welcomed and accepted the proposal, underscoring their continued dedication to the field and their roots in the community.

Their journey stands as a beacon of innovation, ecological mindfulness, and entrepreneurial resolve, offering a scalable model of sustainable livelihood for hill districts and beyond.