FISH FARMING BUSINESS

Catfish farming business is also one of the farming business that is also highly profitable in most countries most especially Africa.  In this article, we will be focusing on cat fishing farming in Nigeria. It doesn't matter if you are just  with the hope of making just an extra cash or going into full scale production, here, you will discover the prospects and the challenges facing catfish farming in Nigeria.

Catfish farming in Nigeria began in the early 1920’s and has grown to up to 200,000 acres (in December 2012). Opportunities for raising catfish profitably in Nigeria is so high due to a large pay lake market that consumes about 3 million pounds of catfish a year. Though, it is a lucrative business and it is mainly boosted by the continuous rise in the demand of it.

Catfish farming business is the most
popular form of fishing farming in Nigeria. Here are the full details of starting the business
CALL US ON 08032861326.

STARTING THE FARMING

Starting catfish farming, one needs careful consideration. Let me start by over viewing the different types of catfishes in Nigeria.

The most common species found in Nigeria are Heterobranchus Bidorsalis, Clarias Gariepinus, Clarias x Heterobranchus Hybrid and Clarias Nigro-digitatus. You might not understand these names but as time goes on, you will.
Clarias spp are very common in the west while Heterobranchus spp are dominating the south eastern part of Nigeria.

Despite the popularity of catfish farming in Nigeria, the fish farming industry is the best described as being at the infant stage when compared to the larger market potential for its production and marketing.
This is because of the unavailability of fingerlings owning to lack of adequate infrastructure for hatches and fingerling production.

CATFISH OPERATION

Catfish farming or operations in Nigeria consists of two most important types, these are
Thetypes are the nursery fish farming and the grow out fishing farming. The grow out fish farming is dependant of the nursery fish farming because one can’t grow fish without nursery but they could be operated separately.

The nursery is the inducement of the female fish to lay eggs which are then fertilized, incubated and hatched. Those small fish are known as fries.

Going into Catfish involves the following.

(1)  GET A LAND

 If you don’t just want to make extra cash in this business, thereby fishing at home in buckets, this is the first thing you need to get. One have to get at least half plot of land in a suitable location. This means one must get the land where there is good access road and also not very far from market and labor.

(2)  SET UP YOUR FISH POND

  When you have decided to set up your fish pond, that means you have determined to go into a big commercial venture.

Before one set up his/her pound, there are some construction considerations you will have to look at before setting up the fish pound because once the pond is dug and the area have been developed there is nothing one can do to undo the work and recover the cost. These constructions considerations are:

(1)  Where the pond should be established? Does the site have quality water supply? (well or spring)
(2)  Is the area suitable for pond construction? In terms of soil composition and permeability
(3)  Is the water supply suitable for catfish faring? Try growing a few catfish using the water taken from the target source.
(4)  Catfish farming needs some water movement. Will you be able to obtain permits and other necessary licenses for the operation?

TAKE NOTE: The most suitable water for catfish farming is the bore-hole. Steady water supply.

(3)  BREEDING

The first thing you need to get hold is the fingerlings. This can be obtained mainly through artificial propagation in the hatcheries through hormonal induction.

In Nigeria it is usually more affordable than the imparted hormonal. Fish farmers also say that they are more reliable and which i strongly believe that.

PROBLEMS AND FEEDING

 These problems all have their root in the extra care needed to be given to the fry during the first week of life. In this regard, you have to battle with provision of zooplankton which serves as feeds for the larvae, fry and fingerlings thus playing a major role on their growth and survival. There is also the problem of cannibalism, heavy predation by frogs/aquatic insects and the a biotic challenges such as water temperature, dissolved oxygen (>4.5mg/L-1), levels of ammonia. The brood stock to use for the purpose of breeding should be between 0.3kg and 2kg.
Finally, fish farming in Nigeria is an untapped goldmine based on the fact that there is an ever increasing need for it as the best alternative to meet the protein need of the people.

CALL US 08032861326 FOR HELP AND CONSULTANCY

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