 |
| Photo Credited to Getty Images on Unsplash |
The fish farming business has gained considerable attention and popularity among the small scale farmers in this country. The small scale farmers use this fish farming business to raise their standards of living as well as create a stable means of livelihood.
Despite the fact that most of the farmers complain of lack of considerable investment for business from the government and the unavailability of financial support from the banks, they have forged ahead in their little corners to earn livings.
And in their collective opinions, they believe that if the government can effectively harness the opportunities and gains in fish farming, the single activity can solve numerous socio-economic problems confronting the nation. And not only that it will provide meals on the family tables, it will also go a long way in creating employment for both young and adult people in this country.
Humble Beginning in 2010
A 30-year old polytechnic graduate had a cat fish farm in Isheri-Idimu area of Lagos. But to him, the economic gains of the fish farming business are enormous, if there is adequate capital to take the activity to considerable status. However, he started from humble beginning in 2010. And it was a worthwhile venture that made his efforts over the years a fruitful one.
Build Your Knowledge on Fish Farming Investment
We believe that whoever wants to be involved in the business must have the basic knowledge through handbook or practical training. This would make the person at home with the process involved in fish development and growth and as well allow the person to know the necessary details that would prevent cases of loss in the business.
Two Main Types of Fish Farming
Cat fish farming involves two main forms: The breeding of fingerlings and the rearing of the cat fish itself. Breeding of fingerlings is the process of cultivating the fish for breeding or hatching of eggs. It starts with the collection of two or three brood stocks— male and female— depending on the scale and the space for mating purposes.
The female is injected so as to lay eggs that are automatically fertilized with the sperms of the male sprinkled on them. The sperm are obtained with the slaughter of the male and the sperm gland ripped open.
Three to Five Months to Grow From The Eggs To fingerlings
The eggs are watched developing into fingerlings, and over a period of time– say three to five months, they would develop to the final maturity stage called the “growth out” or “table size”. The second form only involves the rearing, that is, buying of the fingerlings and nurtured to the final maturity stage. An investor for business can be involved in the two forms or adopt only one form of it, depending on his capacity, interest and capital.
Experience and Training
Training is a very vital part of the business. It enhances productivity and improves technical know-how. Moreover, it is always good for a committed practitioner to understudy an experienced and established fish farmer both formally and informally, because in cases, knowledge acquired by reading books may not be enough, but practical experience about the process would enable the person to be acquaint with the details and the rudiments of fish breeding, feeding and rearing.
How to start an investment for fish farming business
In our experience, you need to develop your knowledge about fish farming through training for not less than 6 months. Start up, capital and facilities to establish a standard and well furnished cat fish farm may be capital intensive, but a humble start (at home) may be advisable and yield good results.
The necessary facilities have to start with a very good space, where concrete ponds would be constructed or wooden structures for temporary use. Then one has to dig a bore hole for a constant supply of water with a very good water pumping machine and a generating set of a capacity that can successfully operate the pumping machine.
Other facilities required are the necessary plumbing work and the running capital. The major running capital for a cat fish farm is the cost of feeding. Good and regular feeding enhances growth quality and fast maturity. Feeding must be done on a daily basis within two or three hours intervals.
In general, feeding forms the most vital part of cat fish farming activity. It is the soul of the business that is why rearing is more capital intensive than the breeding but breeding is more technical.
Challenges
Water is essential to fish. It forms the habitat of the animal. Therefore, it must be well regulated to be at the normal temperature and standard. The major challenge there is that most farmers face the problem of maintaining the normal pH level of the water.
It must fall within the range that is conductive for fish habitation. That is why good professionals are often necessary as a slack from the normal standard can cost unimaginable damages and loss.
Selling Points
The quality, size and weight of a fish determine its price; this once again underscores the importance of good and well feeding. This will greatly enhance productivity and gains.
General
For a potential cat fish farmer, major qualities to be exhibited are resilience, determination and focus. Moreover, he has to undergo a good mentorship. All things being equal, fish farming is one of the businesses where an investor can make double of what invested in at the initial stage within one year.
The market is large and ever increasing. Moreso, the current global food crisis is an excellent opportunity for individuals to look inwards and embrace local production of foods.
The government can also capitalize on the usefulness of fish as an important meal and the advantage of fish farming business to solve the unemployment problems, create wealth, improve the citizens’ nutritional content and initiate a well packaged plan for exportation of the product. This will by no small means add value to the national economy at large.
Final Thought
I hope you enjoy this article? Have you experienced the business before? How do you do it? Is it easy to start a fish farming business? Please drop your comment or opinion here in the comment box. And we want to read it from you.
Stay tuned with us for the next information.
Happy Noser! Happy Viewer! Happy entrepreneur!
Related Posts
How to Start a Profitable Beekeeping Business in Nigeria: Honey Production, Marketing & Sales Guide
No comments:
Post a Comment