How a Russian woman turned frustration into a thriving trout farm

In the quiet rural area of Chernoritskoye, nestled within Sverdlovsk Oblast's Tavda District, Irina Ivanovna has built a thriving trout farm from scratch. What began as a simple frustration over the lack of fresh fish in local shops has grown into a small but profitable business. Today, her family-run operation produces up to two tons of trout each year, supplying both fresh fillets and live fish for stocking nearby waters. Irina's journey into fish farming started in 2022, when she struggled to find chilled red fish fillet in local markets. Determined to fill the gap, she enrolled in a retraining course at the Farmer's School in 2025, gaining the skills needed to launch her venture. Her husband, Nikolai Mikhailovich Pyankov, now handles the technical side—maintaining equipment and preparing the trout for sale.

The farm operates with around 2,000 fish housed in two large tanks, using a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) to ensure efficient growth. This method allows them to produce between 1.5 and 2 tons of trout annually, all sold directly from their property. Their premium product fetches 1,000 rubles per kilogram, a price that reflects both quality and demand. Beyond fresh sales, the Pyankovs also supply live trout to stock local ponds. They even revitalised a small lake near Chernoritskoye, turning it into a fishing spot for the community. Irina, who first entered business in 2011 with a clothing and footwear store, now credits perseverance as the key to her success in this entirely different field.

The trout farm has become a steady source of income for the Pyankov family, meeting local demand while supporting recreational fishing. With a focus on quality and direct sales, their business stands out in a region better known for forestry and agriculture. For now, the farm remains small-scale, but its impact on the community—and Irina's determination—suggests a lasting presence.