The pains and gains of being a fish farmer — Ugochukwu

Ugochukwu Cyril-Okere, a graduate of logistic management is an Abuja based fish farmer and trainner who told YOUTHVILLE that he went into fish farming because he saw a market there. Ugochukwu said the high point of his venturing into fish farming has been being able to increase “the number of catfish he can now raise […]

Ugochukwu Cyril-Okere, a graduate of logistic management is an Abuja based fish farmer and trainner who told YOUTHVILLE that he went into fish farming because he saw a market there.

Ugochukwu said the high point of his venturing into fish farming has been being able to increase “the number of catfish he can now raise comfortably from hatching to table size.

He added that three years ago he started with a single pound but he has been able to grow it into several ponds, a hatchery room and has used the proceed to start a soft drink distribution business.

Talking about the challenges he said new entrants into the business tend to sell their table size fish at a low price because they often make the mistake of not factoring in production and logistic costs.

He added that the high mortality rate of the fishes is also a challenge. “If not properly checked, mortality will be very high and lead to serious loss, and the costs of their feed is on a very high side.”

On getting his customers he said “Customers for catfish are readily available from the doorstep of business to the open market.” He said the fishes can be sold at retail or wholesale.

To those who want to venture into the business he said they “should first go for training and do a proper feasibility study depending on the number of fingerlings or juveniles they choose to start with.”

He added that such a person should have money for fish feed in addition to a standby source of water supply. To graduates ugochukwu said “My advice to graduates looking for government jobs is simple, They shouldn’t give up in their search but it’s also desirable to engage themselves in a skill or the other because being employed by someone means you’ll be laid off one day Or if retired, what will happen to ones source of income?”