Engineer Returns to India to Launch Fisheries Business in Amravati For 14 years, Vikram Deshmukh worked as a mechanical engineer across New Zealand and Australia, building a successful career in project management and sales. However, a chance conversation during a lunch in Sydney shifted his trajectory. When he inquired about the source of the restaurant’s fresh fish, the owner revealed it came from a modern fish farm behind the establishment. This revelation sparked Deshmukh’s interest in aquaculture, leading him to experiment with Recirculating Aquaculture Systems in his Sydney backyard. Despite four failed attempts, he persisted, eventually mastering the technology through professional training in Australia. Deshmukh’s wife, Manjiri Deshmukh, played a pivotal role in his decision to return to India. He aimed to demonstrate that bringing global expertise back home could drive sustainable growth, framing his move as a “brain gain” rather than a “brain drain.” After completing formal aquaculture training, he faced significant challenges adapting the technology to Indian conditions. The early years required long hours, with Deshmukh balancing consulting work for clients in Australia and China by day while building his aquaculture business at night. Establishing a fish-processing unit in Nandgaon Peth, Amravati, involved overcoming infrastructure, financial, and market hurdles. Deshmukh focused on transparency and compliance with government guidelines, which enabled him to access schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana. Local support was critical to the project’s success. Officials from the Amravati Fisheries Department, including Meshram Sir, Amita Jain Madam, and Sanap Sir, provided guidance, while Suresh Bharti of RDC Fisheries offered technical expertise.#amravati #vikram_deshmukh #manjiri_deshmukh #pradhan_mantri_matsya_sampada_yojana #aus_tech_industries
