Do you never want to lack money? Then start your own catfish farming business today in 10, easy steps. Guarantied to make you big money!
Make Money From Aquaculture And Catfish Farming Now.
In this article today, we will explore what it takes to set up a catfish farming business in Nigeria. We will also briefly talk about what aquaculture is, and it's branches, but our main focus will be on fish farming aquaculture.
This article lays down the essential items needed to startup a catfish farm business, and at the end we present you with 10 easy steps to take on your journey to becoming a agro entrepreneur in aquaculture.
Before we begin our journey Let’s try to define some simple concepts like:
Aquaculture is the farming of fish, crustaceans, mollusks, aquatic plants, algae, and aquatic organisms. Aquaculture involves rearing or cultivation of freshwater and saltwater fish populations under controlled conditions, and can be contrasted with commercial fishing, which is the harvesting of wild fish from the high sea.
It is less commonly spelled aquaculture, and is also known as aqua farming. They are different types of aquaculture systems but in this post, we are interested in fish farming, and namely catfish farming.
The food servicing industry is a huge one and its sub-industry aquaculture, or fish farming, is a vibrant industry that services the protein needs of human beings.
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| catfish sells fast in Nigeria |
Catfish is one of the most stable and easy growing fish species, that has attracted much attention in the fish farming world and has gained wide acceptance among farmers due to its ruggedness and it's ability to survive in harsh conditions. Catfish farming is a type of fish farming practice, and it is one agro based business venture that promises to be profitable if done right. Catfish farming can be done anywhere once you have a suitable space to construct a pond.
One good thing about catfish farming business, is that while you are making profit, you will also be taking care of your families food and protein needs, and at the same time selling to others to make money, just like killing two birds with one stone.
There are a lot of catfish species that exist and their occurrence is based on geography, but in Nigeria which is my case sturdy today, the most common species found here are; Clarias gariepinus, Heterobranchus bidorsalis, Clarias X Heterobranchus hybrid (Heteroclarias) and Clarias nigro-digitatus.
Heterobranchus sp are very common in the south-eastern part of Nigeria with clarias spp dominate in the west. However, clarias gariepenus is popular among fish farmers in Nigeria, and also widely farmed.
One good part of catfish farming is that the catfishs are very resilient and can adapt very well to different environmental conditions, which is why it is a good choice of fish to rear when a newbie is a thinking of coming into the fish farming business.
Whichever species you chose to rear may depend upon, what the needs of your target market are, what species are available around you, how you intend to feed them and the land space you have available. All these factors will determine the size of your farm.
Like I said; most catfish species are resilient and are a prolific freshwater fish. You can grow them easily and harvest them up to 4 times a year with effort put in, in well constructed fishponds that make allowance not to exceed the stocking density.
Now you may ask yourself “why should I invest money in aquaculture, or fish farming?”
The reason for you to invest in catfish farming is that; the catfish production industry is a lucrative business venture in Nigerian, the one, that is experiencing a steady growths rate given the times we live in today. Fish farming is an industry that is making many millionaires today.
Another thing you should know is that, malnutrition is common in the world today, among business and working class people. Human beings always want to eat healthy foods that are fresh and rich with all the essential nutrients for the proper functioning of the mind and body. But is this obtainable today?
The answer is a big no because, chemical companies and industries have created various ways to preserve food, even fresh foods like meat, fish, and fruits come in well-preserved cans, frozen foods are no exception. These foods take time in transit before they get to the end user, and even when they do get to the end user, their nutrients would have reduced to a low level.
These then gives rise to the need for people to eat foods with zero chemical and 100% fresh.
Catfish is a good candidate for foods that have zero chemical and are always 100% fresh. Catfish is a freshwater fish, which is a popular source of protein in Nigeria and indeed around the world.
Catfish is low in Sodium, a good source of Thiamine, Potassium, and Selenium, and a rich source of Protein, vitamin D, Vitamin B12 and Phosphorus. These are all vital for our health, not to mention the fact that catfish flesh is delicious and many enjoy it because off it's good taste.
Starting Your Catfish Farm
They are three types of fish farms you can start:
1. Small size farm
2. medium size farm and
3. large size farms.
To decide which to choose, you have to check the resources that are available to you, if you have a small workings capital you can start on a small farm and after some harvests, decide to upgrade your farm, but if you have access to large capital, you can start a large production on a large farm.
My best advice for a newbie would be that you start with a small pond and grow. However, larger farms ensure larger harvest, and have the added advantage of being able to buy supplies in large quantities and by so doing reduce overhead costs.
Once you have calculated what resources you have at your disposal, you will be better positioned to make a choice as to how to operate your farm. After this, you can go ahead and secure a land space for your operation. The land space can either be the backyard of your home, a rented space or an empty land if you have access to one.
The next thing to do after you have secured a land space for your farm site, is to provide power for the farm. If electricity is not readily available then you are sure to need a generator for your farm, but they are other alternatives like solar you can choose to use. Once you have a land space with steady power supply, the other things are relatively easy to get.
By now I am thinking that, from my statement above about “resources available to you”, you already have physical cash at hand because the rest things you will need after you procure land, are a matter of cash at hand.
One thing about business and being ahead of your competition is that, knowledge is power, hence anyone who wishes to do well in any given venture must first, obtain the right knowledge that are relevant to that business. This being said, some important things you need to do before kicking off your farm would be to:
Do some local history, legal and background checks about your business:
You need to do some research to find out if you can rear an catfish where you have your land space, as not all cultures accept it, even if you are starting your catfish farm on your own property, try to find out if there are other farmers in your locality and engage with them to get an idea of your local market.
Speak with an expert about How to register your business. You may need some legal document like a license or a permit before you can operate a standard fish farm. Whatever the case, do your homework.
Have a business and marketing plan in place:
You have to come up with a business and marketing plan to succeed in any business. So do some market research to find out what works, and what does not, and draw up your business plan based on your findings, to maximize profit and minimize waste.
Some simple steps involved in writing a business plan involves ask your self these following questions:
1. Who will my customers be? Will I be selling directly to my customers or supplying to a local market, supermarket or mega stores?
2. Will I be supplying to industries or exporting?
3. What are my strengths and weakness? e.t.c.
Whatever your dreams ask yourself these questions and answer them, also talk to farmers who are in the business already for some advice about feeds available in the market, and their costs, and you should make out time to do some field tour to farms to get first-hand knowledge of various farming systems.
When you have covered these steps, you will be well-equipped to come up with a good marketing strategy for your business.
Start your catfish farming business right now with these 10 simple steps:
Step 1. You will need to have done your research so, you understand the basics of catfish farming, you don’t want to start any business venture without proper research about the said venture. This is what leads to loss.
Step 2. Have a business plan.
Step 3. Procure your farm site or land space.
Step 4. Drill your borehole.
Step 5. Get your pond constructed.
Step 6. Choose your feed and feeding regime (remember what I said about resources available)
Step 7. Procure medication (anti biotics and disinfectants)
Step 8. Stock your ponds with fingerlings.
Step 9. Start feeding your fingerlings.
Step 10. Harvest your fish and sell.
Feeding is what you need to worry about once you have stocked your ponds with catfish fingerlings. You can choose from local, or imported catfish feed, as there are a lot. of feed brands in the market, with different formulation and FCR.
Whenever you are choosing a feed brand, chose a brand that will provide the right nutrients that the catfish requires growing well, and at the same time does not drill a big hole in your pockets.
Quality fingerling+quality water+quality feed= high catfish yield per harvest
Conclusion:
Put all the knowledge you have gained during your research into action, and produce catfish for your market today and start making money for yourself.
