Starting a catfish farm in Nigeria,really tired of going to all sites and evry1 is selling a book .
Here are some basic things you need to know or ask yourself.
[center]To help you determine if catfish farming is feasible for you in your
particular situation, a checklist is provided below. It does not cover
all of the possibilities, but it does list most of the important
considerations.[/center]
Management
Do you already have suitable ponds or a pond site?
Do you have most of the equipment ( pumps, etc.) needed?
Do you have the necessary financial resources?
Have you made an estimate of investment
costs and annual cost and return?
Have you estimated the impact of changes
in fish prices and feed costs on projected income?
Will the expected profit provide an adequate
return for your labor, management and risk?
Can you afford to forego income until you sell
your first crop (usually 4-6 months after starting)?
Can you afford to absorb occasional losses?
Are you willing to devote the time and effort required?
Do you know of an established market for your fish?
Is there a market for your fish at the time of year
you plan to sell them?
Will you have harvesting and transport equipment,
or do you have a suitable arrangement
for harvesting your fish?
Will you be able to harvest fish year round?
Do you have an alternative marketing strategy?
[b]Physical Factors
Is the topography of the land suitable
for pond construction?
Is there adequate ground water close enough to
the surface for catfish farming or is the amount
of rain run-off from your watershed sufficient?
Is the water quality suitable for your fish farming? This is very important.
Is the pond area protected from flooding?
Are the drains in existing ponds adequate
for rapid draining?
Is there daily access to the ponds, regardless of weather,
for feeding, treating, and harvesting?
Is the pond bottom suitable for harvesting
(smooth and stump free)?
Will someone live close enough to the pond to allow
frequent observation and necessary management?
Successful farmers must have a sound understanding
of the economics of their operation.
