Female fish farmer reaps gains

What motivated you to go into fish farming?I started fish farming last year, 20013 and was motivated by a friend. I sought an advice from one of my friends who is also fish and poultry farmer to counsel me on business that is lucrative to invest on. She took me to her house and I […]

What motivated you to go into fish farming?
I started fish farming last year, 20013 and was motivated by a friend. I sought an advice from one of my friends who is also fish and poultry farmer to counsel me on business that is lucrative to invest on. She took me to her house and I was interested in fish farming and started immediately.
Can you briefly explain what fish farming is all about?
Fish farming is very good, lucrative and profitable if competent plan, good management skills as well as acceptable standard are followed. Unlimited fund could be used to experiment fish farming business to get it right as fish farming is very sensitive to manage because a slight mistake could result to degenerate growth which may cause massive revenue loss.
Starting with fingerlings, the fish should be kept inside the ponds for three to four months, when the fish reached average weight; they are normally ready for consumption and can sell.     
It seems water plays vital role in fish farming?
Water is the life blood of fish thus, adequate water supply is necessary for regular interchange of water. Enough water supplies serves fish 75% of life span while the remaining 25% goes for feeding. Natural source of water and certain feeds are the most suitable for helping fish to grow fast and increase the fatness of the fish. The water should be changed at the right time. For fingerlings it has to be changed in 3 days interval while matured stage could be 5 days because as they eat so the water is polluted. Once the water is dirty the fishes will not perform well and develop. Fingerlings could be fed four times a day and fully grown fishes could be fed twice or once in a day. So, it takes more efforts, time and commitment before one can successfully achieve the goal.
How do you know when the fish is sick?
When the fish refused to eat or not being active, we sense sickness is in them and we give vital feeds or common salt for five days and they will be normal. So, water is the sole protector to fish.
As a civil servant, is your work not affecting the fish farming?  
 Not at all because I do take care of the fish very early in the morning and when I return from office I still have time to do other necessary things, so it is not affecting each other.
What are the challenges in fish farming?
Challenges in fish farming to me, are not much. It could be stressful, in that to cope with necessary and adequate needs of the fishes for them to be well alive and develop is not easy. Despite that, fish farming does not cause any environmental hazards, neighbours do complain of odour and water passing through their house front. Another area is that one must be having enough funds for feeding them to ensure successful business. For instance, a bag of feed cost N5,500 and 1000 matured fishes that I have in the ponds used to finish the feed in two days. If there is no money or one is broke, definitely the fish will face the consequences as they will not grow well and even die. Eventually, you as an investor will not realize your money let alone profit. Apart from these, fish need natural water not treated one. You can only use either well or borehole water. Other source of water like treated one will affect the fishes and that was why I sank borehole to ensure adequate water supply. Finally, proper monitoring of the water to avoid being polluted is very important, changing of water should be between 4 to 5 days interval.
Have you started reaping gains since you started?  
Though, it is not long I started the business but the profit is still on. I can say fish farming is not only lucrative, it is also a versatile business in the sense that waste water which can just flow as waste can also fertilise plants and crops. Waste water passing through the mango tree, pawpaw, banana, bitter leaf and red pepper planted in my compound is really helping the crops to grow as if we are in raining season.