A government officer from fisheries department of Andhra Pradesh launched a start-up for sustainable aquaculture and is recording a turnover of nearly Rs 2 crore by providing consultancy to farmers. Read more to laud his initiative…
The beginning
44-year old Shaik Akbar Ali, from Nellore in Andhra Pradesh started his career in 2002 as a fisheries development officer under the Government of Andhra Pradesh. After two years, he joined the Food and Agriculture Organisation as cluster management officer. “But very soon I realized that I would be able to use my technological knowledge in a better manner for benefiting farmers. Thus I left my job and started giving consultancy. Finally, in May 2019, I founded the Information and Inputs for Sustainable Aquaculture (IIFSA),” told Ali to chalgenius.com. Ali said that his startup has received mentorship of NIAM agribusiness incubation centre, Jaipur.
About IIFSA
It primarily provides advisory and consultancy to farmers for aquaculture sustainability. The company provides feed additives, soil and water treatment products and manufactures test kits for testing various parameters. Based on these parameters, it provides necessary consultancy to the farmers for pond management.
Modus Operandi
The company works in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Assam and provides consultancy to 50 farmers a day. It has engaged field coordinators who are in constant touch with the farmers. It has also come up with software and farmers can use it to get registered for free. They can also book slots for interacting with experts and getting their guidance. This apart, farmers can request for field visits wherein a technical person visits the field and collect samples. These samples are analyzed at the laboratory and based on the observations, necessary advice is given to the farmers.
Services provided
The company provides expert consultation on a call, arrange field coordinator visits, conduct quick pond health diagnosis and finally provide pond data management solutions. It provides technical and management training for new and existing small-scale farmers, farm workers and extension workers to develop aquaculture.
How farmers benefit
“Through our consultancy we manage to address various concerns of the farmers. We solve the issues of low productivity which is a huge problem for farmers. We stop the use of unnecessary antibiotics and chemicals, supply pond specific solutions at farmer doorstep and help in doubling the farm income. Along with this we help in reducing mortality and morbidity issues,” said Ali.
Vision
IIFSA envisions making people aware of the importance of fish in their diet and how to implement aquaculture as a tool to produce it on a sustainable basis. IIFSA wants to be the best and renowned technology partner and service provider to the aquaculture industry.
How is it different from other consultancy firms?
“We provide pond specific solutions. Usually, a generalized advisory is issued to farmers, But our solutions are always given based on observations and data. We always record the problem, analyze those and then provide solutions. We record the pond parameters and the solution is given only after considering all the factors. So, we manage to give specific solutions for a specified problem. Ultimately, it is the farmers who benefit as they are able to solve their issue at a low investment,” explained Ali.
Get in touch
Shaik Akbar Ali
Founder, Information and Inputs for Sustainable Aquaculture
9000948599
akbar@iifsaoffice.in
Keywords: chalgenius, start-ups, Hyderabad, IIFSA, Nellore, Shaik Akbar Ali, NAIM
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