On 21st June 2025, Mul Biotech Farms organized a landmark demonstration in Kalimpong, West Bengal, to introduce an integrated aquaponics–hydroponics system for the Eastern Himalayas. This initiative has become a reference point for how small farming communities in difficult terrains can transition toward circular agriculture, where every input is recycled and efficiency is maximized.
The Context: Farming in Fragile Hills
The Eastern Himalayas are facing increasing pressure from climate change, erratic rainfall, soil erosion, and water scarcity. For small and marginal farmers, conventional agriculture has become risky and often unsustainable. Landholdings are fragmented, chemical inputs are expensive, and younger generations are losing interest in farming.
Against this backdrop, Mul Biotech Farms introduced a low-cost aquaponics–hydroponics model. The system works on a simple principle: fish tank water is reused to grow vegetables without soil. Fish produce nutrient-rich waste, which is converted by natural microbes into plant food. The plants, in turn, clean the water, which is recirculated back to the fish tanks.
This closed-loop cycle drastically reduces water usage, eliminates the need for harmful fertilizers, and allows high-yield vegetable farming in small spaces. For hilly terrain like Kalimpong, where arable land is limited, this model offers a way forward.
Community-Led Demonstration
The Kalimpong event attracted over 85 participants, including women-led self-help groups (SHGs), Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), youth farmers, and institutional representatives.
Key activities included:
Live demonstration of fish and vegetable interaction in a functional aquaponics unit.
Farmer group discussions to map local needs and challenges.
Localized learning materials distributed in Nepali and Bengali.
A preview of Mul Biotech Farms’ GIS-based dashboard, designed to help farmers make data-driven decisions in crop and fish management.
The community-focused design of the event ensured that the technology was not just shown, but explained in a language and format farmers could immediately relate to.
Media Visibility and Public Reach
The event generated strong media visibility at multiple levels:
The Telegraph India (national coverage)
AgriTimes India (agriculture sector coverage)
Vertical Farm Daily (global recognition)
Himalaya Darpan (regional Kalimpong coverage)
Local cable TV bulletins and press reports
In addition, short reels and posts on Facebook and other social media reached more than 10,000 local viewers organically, multiplying the awareness impact.
This coverage was crucial in positioning Mul Biotech Farms not just as a local service provider, but as a nationally recognized innovator in climate-resilient agriculture.
Tangible Outcomes
The event was not just symbolic; it created real opportunities for replication and scaling:
Six SHGs and two PACS expressed interest in setting up small aquaponics units with minor funding support.
PBSSD (Paschim Banga Society for Skill Development) encouraged Mul Biotech Farms to propose a formal training module on aquaponics as part of its livelihood programs.
Farmers demanded solar hybrid models to reduce electricity dependency, an issue critical in remote hill regions.
Early-stage discussions began with cooperative banks and PACS to facilitate microcredit for SHGs.
These outcomes underline that the model is not just technically feasible but also socially acceptable and institutionally relevant.
Shifting from Subsidy to Skill-Based Farming
One of the most important aspects of this initiative is the shift in mindset it promotes. Traditional farming in many regions is subsidy-dependent, leaving farmers vulnerable when external support ends. Mul Biotech Farms’ approach focuses instead on skill-linked entrepreneurship.
By training farmers and SHGs in aquaponics and hydroponics, the emphasis moves toward knowledge, skill, and innovation as drivers of resilience. This empowers farmers to become entrepreneurs rather than passive recipients of aid.
Next Steps for Kalimpong and Beyond
Building on the momentum from the Kalimpong event, Mul Biotech Farms has outlined the following next steps:
Pilot Demonstrations: Establish two fully functional aquaponics units led by SHGs/PACS.
Training Module: Draft and submit a PBSSD-approved aquaponics training curriculum.
Community Toolkit: Create a visual learning package in Nepali and Bengali for easy replication.
Dashboard Launch: Roll out a mobile-optimized farm decision support tool for hill crops and fish species.
Microcredit Facilitation: Work with cooperative banks to secure low-interest loans for SHGs adopting the model.
A Catalyst for Climate-Resilient Farming
The Kalimpong event is more than just a demonstration. It is a catalyst for transformation in Himalayan farming. By combining fish farming and hydroponics into one circular system, Mul Biotech Farms has showcased a replicable and climate-smart pathway for rural communities.
The project demonstrates that even in challenging geographies, sustainable agriculture is achievable when technology, community participation, and institutional support converge.
Conclusion
Mul Biotech Farms has positioned itself as a ground-level innovator and thought leader in the field of climate-smart agriculture. The Kalimpong initiative has brought together farmers, cooperatives, skill development agencies, and the media to create a powerful model for resilient rural economies.
By focusing on skill-building rather than subsidies, and by integrating modern techniques with community-driven adoption, the initiative paves the way for a new era of circular farming in India’s hill regions.
This event is not just a success story for Kalimpong—it is a blueprint for sustainable agriculture in climate-vulnerable zones across the country.
