Basic Tips On How to start a fish farm Business In Africa
Fish is a major source of protein which is also rich in omega3 fatty acid and also low in cholesterol, fish farming involves the cultivation of fish in an enclosure or tanks for harvesting as food or commercial purposes
Factors to Consider When Starting a fish FarmLand space:
Any location is good for fish farming because it doesn’t cause any environmental hazard; look for any land you can get cheap. The size of the land should depend on the amount of fish you want to farm half plot of land is a good start for an Average fish farming, However you can go for something bigger when you feel like expanding.
Construct your Pond:
In constructing your pond you need the services of an expert pond construction engineer, because if you fail in this stage it’s like the beginning of your failure, all plumbing work must be properly done to ensure proper drainage or you go to another fish farm to get the specification and construction requirement.
Dig a Borehole:
As we all know water is the major source of life to fish therefore lack of water in fish pond will result to disaster reasons are water in fish pond needs to be change regularly, borehole and river water is the most suitable while rain water which are chemically treated are not recommended because fishes need clean water to grow well.
Over Head Tank:
This is a water reservoir in which water is supplied into the fish pond this tank has to be connected to your pond through the plumbing system to make it convenient for water to flow into your pond.
Juvenile Fish:
You can get your juvenile fish from another fish farm that is reliable that specializes in supplying juveniles you need to go for a high yield specie of cat fish or Tilapia and it must be from a healthy fish farmer.
Get training:
You can attach yourself to any fish farm you can even ask them not to pay you just to get the training, note that the training is not the kind you do for one day you need at least two months training to start on your own and also make sure you attend seminars, remember that your investment is at stake trial and erro
is not good for business except you have money to waste.
Marketing:
After growing your fishes to table size the next thing that comes to mind is who to sell your fishes to; places to market your product are restaurants, hotels and Bars, individual residence etc you can also display you product on social networks
There Are Three Major species That Are Marketable if In Nigeria
Cat Fish
Tilapia
Mackerel(Titus)
Cat Fish:
Even though cat fish is not the most popular fish in Nigeria it’s still by far the most cultivated specie in Nigeria, it is very easy to cultivate so I advice you flow to this direction and so many people enjoy it.
Tilapia:
This is the second known fish that is cultivated in Nigeria in the Aquaculture industry, tilapia is fish species that is usually found in fresh shallow water and very easy to cultivate and it reproduces rapidly and grows very fast
Mackerel (Titus):
It is by far the most popular fish in Nigeria but so sad it’s not farmed in Nigeria all Mackerel fish are caught in the wild usually marine water, Hence fish farmers are looking for the possibility of creating an artificial salty water similar to sea water where mackerel can only survive, Time will tell if this blue sea fish can be cultivated artificially so I advice you go for cat fish and Tilapia.