Fish farming business has become increasingly popular among folks in recent times. In the past, many people ran away from any sentence that had “farming” in it. Most people, especially those living in Nigerian cities, refused to have anything to do with farming because it was termed a “dirty job” that required too much effort.
However, these days, more people are turning to farming especially fish farming because of the incredibly satisfying benefits attached to it.
Fish Farming
In simple term, fish farming is the act of rearing fish for commercial purpose. The process of fish farming involves raising fish commercially in tanks or enclosures such as fish ponds, usually for food.
Fish farming has become increasingly popular these days because of the following benefits.
Benefits Of Fish Farming
1. Fish Sell Quick
Yeah, this is very correct. Fish farmers don’t need to worry about whether or not their products will sell fast because they surely will. People are in love with fish and buy fish every single day for food. So there is a huge market for fish farmers.
2. Fish Mature Quickly
Fish farmers can reap the fruits of their labour very fast because their fish grow very fast. Fish grow fast now because practices in fish farming in contemporary times, make it very possible for fish farmers to increase the speed in the growth of their fish by giving them certain feeds.
This means that fish farmers can begin to reap the fruit of their labour as fast as possible, most times in less than six months.
3. Fish Are Popular
One reason why they sell very fast is because fish are very popular. More people are beginning to embrace the consumption of fish over the consumption of meat and as this need grows, fish farming becomes even more profitable day after day,
4. It Has No Environmental Hazard
Unlike other farms of farming like poultry farming, fish farming does not come with any environmental hazard, This means that you can even farm your fish in residential areas.
Of course, this makes it a lot easier for farmers especially those who don’t have enough money to buy lands but have spacious compounds and backyards. They can easily start from where they live and then expand much later when they have the funding.
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What You Need To Start A Fish Farm
There are certain things you need in order to start a fish farm. The following are some of those things;
1. You Have To Secure A Place For Your Fish Farming Business
Of course, this is naturally the first move you should make in starting your fish farming business. It is where all the action will take place.
So, plan the location. Is it going to be near where you live? Or will it be near a natural water source like the nearest lake or a river?
Some people start their fish farming right from where they live before they expand to bigger areas. Others like to go all out and begin very big right from the start. It all depends on what you can afford at the moment.
While some people like to have their fish farm near them, others love their fish farm to be in a natural water source. It depends on what you want as a farmer.
Make a choice.
2. You Have To Construct Your Ponds
Now, this is the next line of action. After you have found a place to situate your fish farm, the next thing to do is to construct your ponds where the fish will be.
It is advisable that you seek expert help for this. There are different types of ponds and only an expert can decide which is best for you depending on the location you have chosen for your fish farming business.
There are basically three types of ponds; concrete pond, earthen pond, and plastic tank pond. An exert will analyse and tell you which is needed for your business location.
So, don’t just wake up and try to haphazardly make ponds that will cause problems for you. Get help unless if you have been taught how to go about digging a pond in the proper way.
3. You May Need To Dig A Borehole
You need to realize that when you decide to go into fish farming, you will need to have access to a lot of water. You simply NEED WATER to effectively carry out your business. So, if your fish farm is not at a natural water source like a river or lake, then you have to make other plans to have access to a clean source of water near you.
Most people prefer to dig boreholes that will service the ponds they have dug out for their fish. You may join this league too.
Some other persons however prefer to buy water every now and then. But this costs too much money and you may want to avoid that.
4. You Need To Get An Overhead Tank
A good storage facility for water is needed if you want to succeed in your fish farming business. For this reason, you may want to acquire an overhead tank near your fish farm.
The overhead tank will serve as the water reservoir from which water is supplied to your ponds. How it works is that the overhead tank has to be connected to your ponds by an expert plumber. This is usually to make it convenient for clean water from the tank to flow into your ponds when it is needed.
5. Proceed To Buy Your Juvenile Fish
After you have done all the aforementioned things, you will then need to buy your Juvenile fish. The juvenile fish are simply baby fish needed to grow your fish farm.
However you need to take note that where you get your juvenile fish is very important. This is because if the fish are not healthy enough, then already you are in for a loss. You have to avoid that.
For this reason, it is advisable for you to get in touch with farms that specialize in supplying these juvenile fish so as to get your fish in good health. You will see it is for your own good after all.
What You Have To Know Before Starting A Fish Farming Business In Nigeria
If you are serious about starting a fish farming business in Nigeria, there are certain things you need to take note of. They are a list of things you must be ready to do as a fish farmer.
– Buy Healthy Fingerlings And Juveniles
For your own good, you need to buy healthy fingerlings and juveniles (baby fish) from farms that produce them which, of course, you patronize.
– Feed The Fish
When you have begun farming your fish, you will be required to feed them two times every day. For maximum effect, remember to always ensure that amino acids like crude protein, methionine, lysine, arginine, and are sufficiently available in the fish feed.
– Change The Water
You have to change the water in your pond every and then but realize that you should not change water instantly after feeding your fish so that they do not vomit the food you have just fed them with.
– Get Supplements
Realize that it is very advisable to give your fish loads of vitamin supplements. This is in order to keep them free from diseases and keep them healthy. Find out about these supplements.
– Separate The Fish
As you grow in your fish farming business, you will need to remember to separate your fishes by sizes as they grow to avoid bigger fishes eating smaller ones.
– Buy A Pelletizing Machine
Also, realize that you may have to buy your own pelletizing machine so as to make your own feed for your fish. This is to help you in reducing cost.
– Store Up Your Feeds
Make sure that you store up your feeds in a cool dry place. When you do this, you will be helping to keep them from rodents and pests
– Attend Seminars
Of course, remember to always attend seminars on fish farming. You are never to big to gain fresh knowledge from aquaculture experts.
