Catfish farming is a lucrative business with tremendous income potentials. The attraction in this business is that it is an emerging market with lots of potentials. The current production level that is obtainable in Nigeria is far below consumption rate, which also implies export potentials.
The Nigeria government encourages entrepreneurs to go into agriculture to boost the food production level therefore it is not a surprise that government has made provision for farmers to assess agricultural loans and grants especially farmers that have a good business plan and structure.
This article will be straight to the point and detailed as much as possible in the bid to encourage anyone contemplating on starting a catfish farm. Our emphasis here will be to briefly analyze the industry and the basics of pond construction.
Catfish farming is a business I would recommend to any startup farmer or any existing farmer that intends to expand the scope of their business.
Industry Analysis
Fish products have gained a lot of popularity in recent times making it constitute about 50% of meat products in the Nigeria market. Catfish is rich in vitamin k which is concentrated mostly around the tail area of a matured stock. Health experts recommends the intake of fish over meat for a lot of health reasons which include it being a good source of low fat protein, a good source of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins such as D and B2. Fish also contains other important minerals such as iron, zinc, iodine etc.
The product is becoming very popular because farmers are moving from the traditional means of getting fish which involves using nets to trap them. Breeding fish in captivity helps farmers to produce huge quantities within a short period of 3 to 6months depending on their business plan.
The profit margin is between 20% to 35% within 6 months depending on your expertise, and banks will be very willing to finance a farmer who is well articulated in his business plan.
The human body does not produce omega-3 fatty acids which is why we need to consume a lot of foods that contain them. Omega-3 fatty acid is very good for the health of the heart and brains.
The fish farm will not cause any environmental challenges, it can be sited anywhere ranging from farms to residential area that have ample space.
Business Risks and How to Mitigate Them.
1. Inability to identify fast growing fingerlings: The producers of fingerlings pride themselves in their niche because the first point of call of success for this business is ability to get the right stock. The wrong stock results in stunted growth and poor harvest. Note that inbreeding also result in poor output.
2. Water management, which entails regular analysis of water parameters like viscocity, temperature, pH etc requires proper management to avoid mortality.
3. Inability to access a ready market may result in devaluation of your fish. It is important to choose a farm location wisely so you won't have to compete with local fisher men.
4. Security challenges can be taken care of by employing security men to work in the farm. This effort may look like a huge expense item, but I like to call it a wise investment. A little farm cost a minimum of N600,000 while large farms cost millions of naira therefore security expense is OK.
Getting Started with catfish farming
1. Clear the selected site and be sure to remove any roots that may later create faults on your structure.
2. Peg out the desired size (5m x 2m x 1.5m medium sized pond) or according to designed size and demarcate the pegged area with rope.
3. Excavate your pond soil into the ground by two layers of block.
4. Blind the floor with cement / sand mix at ½ inch thick.
5. Floor your pond bed with a good “German floor” mixture of cement, sand gravel and in the ratio 1:2:4 to produce an impervious bed with a thickness 1.5cm (3inch) to 10cm (4 inches).
6. Slope the floor of your pond for easy drainage
7. Lay 1¼ to 2 inch diameter draining pipe closed with
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