Fish culture startup inspired by YouTube popup now has an annual turnover of Rs 85 lakh.
In the past few years, 400 tanks have been installed throughout Maharashtra by Suraj Apshinge's company, a pioneer in biofloc technology. The Yuva Company, run by Suraj Apshinge, has made a name for itself in the industry and is receiving orders for the installation of tanks from places outside of Maharashtra.
Lalita Singh 
Suraj Apshinge made it clear that he wanted to do something on his own when he made the decision to discontinue his formal education after Class 12. He came across a popup discussing the introduction of biofloc technology in India while browsing YouTube. He grew more interested in this technology as he read more about it and made the decision to learn more about it.
To put it briefly, biofloc technology facilitates the culture of fish in secure tanks inland. Aquaculture in these tanks aids in the production of high-quality output because of the strict controls the culture permits for feed and other inputs.
Four years later, Apshinge's The Yuva Company has established itself as a reputable player in the industry and is receiving orders for the installation of tanks from places outside of Maharashtra.
The business of Apshinge develops turnkey projects for farmers. These include the tank as well as the necessary feed and other inputs for raising fish. Our technology enables entirely organic fish, he said, similar to aquaponics. A better harvest is made possible by the controlled method of production, as opposed to naturally-bred fish, which can consume anything.
Apshinge made the decision to enroll in training when this technology was only marginally distributed. This technology was initially created in Israel and is now widely used in Indonesia. The only place in India with this setup was Bihar, where he chose to receive training in it. To get trained, he went there.
Following the instruction, Apshinge made the decision to construct the full front and back integration required for assembling these tanks. His first undertaking was a small 40,000-liter tank. They have come a long way from there to the current installation of 4.5 lakh liters.
He had to put in a lot of effort in the early going to spread the word about inland fishing and tanks. Fish is the healthiest and leanest source of protein, and aquaculture can play a significant part in this as people become more aware of the benefits of protein consumption. The best way for farmers to meet demand and increase the value of their fields is with biofloc tanks.
Apshinge's model is appropriate for small, medium, and large farms. Apshinge also established two live fish retail outlets in his hometown of Karad. Additionally, they have a refrigerated van that can assist in delivering live fish to doorsteps.
400 tanks have been installed across the state by Apshinge's business over the past few years. The business now has 15 employees and has an annual revenue of Rs 85 lakh. The business is currently expanding and taking on projects in Karnataka and Odisha. For the inland cultivation of shrimp and other saltwater fish, a contract farming model is currently being developed.
