These ponds need be only 4-6 feet in depth. A small scale retail marketing strategy may include direct sales to the public or to intermediate sources such as small grocers and restaurants. Other options for small existing ponds include stocking large (6-8 in.) As a rough guide, assuming production of 3000 pounds of catfish per acre sold wholesale to a fish processing plant, at least $3,000 per acre will be required for start up and operating costs. According to Hedlund, oyster and clam operations take the least amount of labor – perhaps just a few people. Then, the country was into different types of agriculture, ranging from crop farming to peasant farming and plantation agriculture to mention but a few. The future nationally for aquaculture, particularly catfish culture, appears bright. A successful operation must be well planned. 11 Apr 2005. For many fish farmers with limited water resources, the most profitable market is sales to friends and neighbors or home consumption by the family. There are so many information on the internet on how to start fish farming in Nigeria especially catfish farming but few are detailed enough to really assist aspiring fish farmer to get started. A hatchery/fingerling production operation can do well with smaller acreages (10 acres and up), however, this kind of fish culture usually requires more technical knowledge and experience with fish than either fee fishing or food fish grow out enterprises. Feeding, water and temperature, type of pond you are using, cost of feed, and other costs less cost of … We discussed the particulars of establishing and running an aquaculture operation. Shrimp Farming; Shrimp farming is another type of fish farming business that is thought of as profitable. Recently, I spoke with Steven Hedlund, communications manager for the Global Aquaculture Alliance, which is a trade organization that establishes best practice standards. For most fish farmers, Tilapia is the most profitable fish to farm for commercial purposes. Fish farmers have to take care of fish and their number and also take care that they grow in size so … This is the main reason of increasing this business around the world. requires a qualified answer. High density tank or raceway fish culture using a relatively small amount of recirculating water, constant aeration, and filtration is a possibility as technologies improve; however, at the present time only highly experienced and well financed fish culturists have been consistently successful with these methods. Surprisingly, half of U.S. farmed fish production is catfish, and you can raise them in many states, even cold places like Wisconsin. Water Advertisement . For related content and insights from industry experts, sign up for Successful Farming newsletters. Wholesale to processor, $0.10/lb or about $300/acre. Water They can be supported with low-cost feed and convert most of the nourishment into flesh. you must be willing and be dedicated to it as the slightest lukewarmness can cause your investment to go down the drain. It has often been stated that the fish should all be marketed before production begins. In small scale aquaculture enterprises, retail sales offer the only opportunity for reasonable profits on investment. Check back soon to explore our new site. The farm had 10 concrete tanks already and he was about starting a very big earthen pond. Water pH level Markets for fish are expanding rapidly because fish are highly nutritious, low in fat and calories, and may contribute to a reduced incidence of heart disease as suggested by recent research. Per Hedlund, 50% of the cost of a fish operation is fish food, which consists mostly of fish meal and soybean meal. All of these are home to numerous aquatic species. However, the profit value is largely driven by the Asian markets and is culture specific. Currently, there is much interest in fish farming as evidenced the thousands of phone calls and mail inquires directed to Langston University fisheries research and extension personnel. Now fish accounts for about 17% of all animal protein consumed by the global population. You may also … There is money being made growing fish, and you will never make any of that money if you never get started. 2020 Langston University / PO BOX 1500 / Langston, OK 73050 / 1.877.466.2231 / webmaster@langston.edu / Privacy Policy. Fish brokerage businesses can also operate with smaller acreages. The water supply system will cost approximately $1500 plus $300 per surface acre of water. How To Start Profitable Fish Farming In Nigeria. And on the other hand, fish are excellent animals to rear. Growing fish is probably a new experience for many people and there is much to be learned regarding the needs of the fish species chosen for production, water quality, feeds, harvest, and marketing requirements. Land capable of holding water, usually high in clay. The cost of getting into fish culture can be high compared with other agricultural commodities. Your Name * Recipient Email * 0. It can be very frustrating and disheartening, if not economically disastrous, to find a pond full of dead fish after investing thousands of dollars and many hours of labor. He says it’s more common in Asia, especially India, Thailand, and Indonesia. Fish Farming Myths. Land resources should also be considered when planning an aquaculture enterprise. My opinion is that we’ll need both continuing agriculture productivity gains and rapidly expanding fish farms to feed 8, 9, or 10 billion people. Fish farming will form part of the most promising agriculture-based ventures in 2020. At least 1 surface acre. Catfish. These are fresh water ponds and water beds. Accessible by large trucks. Facebook. If you can plan well, integrated fish farming ensures the highest profit ratio. It takes a while to establish lucrative retail or direct markets, but the profit margins are so much better than wholesale markets that the fish farmer should make a determined effort to sell as many fish as possible in this manner before resorting to a wholesale marketing strategy. Except for some other fish, all indians and Chinese fish are herbivores – meaning less money. By. Large scale commercial fish farming is not a good business to retire into as a hobby. Deep ponds are not an asset unless they are used as storage reservoirs to fill properly constructed fish culture ponds. Fish farming business is very profitable and successful Commercial business in India. Learn all you can before investing in aquaculture, talk with extension specialists and other fish farmers, go to meetings, field days and workshops. Snail farming in the US is complicated and dominated by several large producers, primarily on the west coast. However, these returns effectively demonstrate that a family income can not be generated from a few acres if fish are to be sold wholesale to a processor. I had to pause the construction of the earthen pond and advise him to build a pen house for poulets (Layers). Large Soil Conservation lakes are good candidates for commercial cage culture. The first and easiest myth of aquaculture is that of fish welfare. Myth #1. A farmer can usually market 3000 t o5000 lb of fish in this manner. Net profits per acre per year will be about $300 or $0.10/lb (all data based on surface acreage of water) which is a good return per acre compared with traditional grain crops. For a nation that has abundant aquatic resources, fish farming is another great venture that I had to talk about. Getting Started The amount of water necessary for a successful aquaculture enterprise depends upon the kind of operation, the marketing plan and the level of income required by the fish farmer. Aquaculture also requires occasional hard physical labor. Most Profitable Fish Farming Business For Beginner. The two divisions are the Nursery Fish farming and the Grow Out Fish Farming. Water for fish culture ponds can not be contaminated or polluted by chemicals or animal waste. In these situations the ponds are primarily used for holding quantities of fish that will soon be marketed live or processed by the broker. Eel is … However, during that same time frame, the global population has increased from about 3 billion to over 7.5 billion people. When I heard “soybean meal,” I started thinking about vertical integration and economies of scale for soybean farmers. Fish Farming. Is fish Farming Profitable? In a report out last week, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (N.O.A.A.) Increasing recognition that fish is a healthy food, low in calories and cholesterol levels, but rich in protein has increased consumer demand in both restaurants and supermarkets. The river diversion is to keep fresh water running through the raceways for the health of the fish. The demand and price of fish and fish related products are also increasing rapidly, in accordance with rapid population growth. Consumption of fish products is increasing dramatically and now averag… 1. If inexperience leads to incorrect purchasing decisions on a large scale, proportionally large financial losses or even bankruptcy may result. Start small and expand with experience and markets. If the pond is at least 1 surface acre in size, cage culture might be a possibility. If the water is pumped from a well, a delivery rate of 15-25 gallons per minute are needed per surface acre of water. Flat or gently sloping cleared land with plenty of clay is the most economical for fish culture. Information is provided 'as is' and solely for informational purposes, not for trading purposes or advice. Herbivores and carnivores can also be farmed here. Construction of dike ponds costs about $1,500 to $2,000 per surface acre of water. Summary Futures: at least 10 minute delayed. Farmed fish have poorer health. These kinds of problems are much easier and less costly to remedy when the fish farmer begins small and then grow. Clear legal rights to the water, consult Water Resources Board. Over the last 60 years, total arable land worldwide has barely budged. A fee fishing enterprise located near a large population center can be very successful with as little as 1 to 2 acres of water while raising food size (1 lb) catfish requires a minimum of 50 surface acres of water to generate enough income to support a family, if the fish are to be sold wholesale to a processor. Existing ponds are generally OK for small scale production but commercial applications are limited. Capital Requirements However, says Hedlund, very few traditional American row crop farmers are involved in aquaculture. The cost to get started in aquaculture varies quite a bit depending on what species of fish you are trying to grow and whether it’s a low-level or more intense operation. Fish farming is generally a profitable endeavor. Fish farming is not for everybody. Fin-fish, like tilapia and trout, are much more intense. All https://www.barchart.com/solutions/ is provided by Barchart Solutions. But you need proper knowledge of modern fishing methods to succeed in this business. Can that continue? © 2020 Meredith Corporation. This includes minimal or shared equipment, low cost pond construction, feed and fingerlings. Investing In Fish Farming Is Profitable. Pinterest. Even per capita fish consumption has increased rapidly – from about 20 pounds per year in 1961 to about 45 pounds today. By Chidiebere Paul Eze Comments(0) Upvotes(0) Downvotes(0) 1 Views. Land In the aquaculture business, both the small-scale and large-scale fish farming are profitable. Tilapia fish farming is a very profitable one. All Rights Reserved. Fish farming is similar to other farming which requires hard work to be successful. Aquaculture is usually not an enterprise that will save a farmer who is already financially distressed. Managerial Requirements Half of U.S. farmed fish production is catfish. At the expense of increased capitalization and decreased returns, some work can be mechanized and some labor can be hired; however, such labor savings to management are only economically justifiable on large fish farms. Fish can be raised in ponds, recirculation tanks, raceways, cages or net pens but the species of a successful fish farm depends greatly on market demand and water quality, flow, oxygen, and temperature. An extensive enterprise budget is the first step in such a plan and will certainly be required if the capital for the venture is borrowed. Some of these techniques can be learned from books and seminars, however, practical experience is still the best teacher. If you’re looking for agricultural business opportunities for 2020, investing in fish farming may be a probable consideration. Most lenders want evidence of the soundness of expansion plans and the ability of the fish farmer to manage the operation profitably. concludes that fish farming is a profitable business in Cameroon, levels of p rofitability being determined by price of feed, price of fingerlings and the co st of labor. Poor quality feeds and fingerlings, although apparently a bargain when initially purchased, often prove to be a very costly learning experience. Intensive fish farming, raising more than 2000 lb/acre, will demand water quality monitoring at night, with emergency aeration sometimes need to prevent the total loss of fish in a pond. Fish farming is the art or technique of breeding fish and taking care of them till they grow and reproduce and maintaining their growing number in the ponds or tanks. It may also be necessary for the fish farmer to obtain legal rights for the use of the water. Eel fish farming emerged in the early 1950s and it is considered one of the most profitable in terms of export value in the fishing industry. According to the World Bank, it has moved from 9.7% up to 11% of total land area. Watershed ponds need 5-25 acres of watershed runoff for each surface acre of pond. There’s a lot in the country- right from a part of the Indian Ocean to numerous rivers, swamps, and freshwater lakes. Capital Requirements Net returns with a retail marketing strategy can be as high as $1.00/lb more than wholesaling fish to the processing plant. The U.S. is still a small player in aquaculture worldwide, says Hedlund, so there is plenty of room for U.S. expansion – if you’re interested. Fish farming and associated industries have expanded through the 1980's and 90's. This is especially true when they use cheap but nutritious ingredients at the lower end of the food chain. There are various types of fish farming, but among them is the two popular ones that are profitable; Catfish farming; Tilapia fish farming; Both are profitable, you can either go for anyone of them or both if you feel you are ok with it. Fish farming, like other business enterprises, requires accurate record keeping to make informed economic decisions concerning purchase of feed, fingerlings and related items or strategies to optimize returns from the market place. The study concluded that fish production in the study area is economically rewarding and profitable. Twitter Share . Fish farming is the raising of fish (for personal or commercial use or both) in tanks or enclosures such as fish ponds. Accurate record keeping. Langston.edu is currently being updated. Some of those operators will have agriculture and aquaculture production and even fish processing facilities. Large scale fish culture is similar to other intensive animal enterprises in that it requires hard work, attention to details such as nutrition, health and care of the animals, as well as making sound economic decisions. Remember the steps to profitable aquaculture: read and study available information, attend fish farming meetings and seminars, talk with other fish farmers and extension agents, evaluate your natural resources, prepare an enterprise budget, and test aquaculture plans on a small scale before investing large amounts of capital and labor in the enterprise. Large ponds usually cost less per acre than smaller ones. The most often asked question, "are there profits to be made in aquaculture?" Potential Net Returns Cost/lb of fish produced about $0.60-$0.70. You can establish a raceway on just a few acres if you have access to a small river and the right to divert some of it. Per Hedlund, 50% of the cost of a fish operation is fish food, which consists mostly of fish meal and soybean meal. It requires less investment and land. But, like we said, they can be operated separately by two different farmers. Ponds At present eel fish farming is also practiced commercially in India, Bangladesh, and other African countries successfully. Sir I have 2700 sq ft land , intrested fish farming.since i am very much new to this area .I seeking good guidance from experts like you.How much i can inverst to start medium level fish farming.Is 2700 sq ft land sufficient or suggest how much land i need. It is capable of creating employment, augmenting income … The experience gained in even one year’s trial production can greatly reduce the likelihood of a production disaster. These rates currently range from 2,000 lb/acre or less up to a maximum of about 6,000 lb/acre. The topography of the land will determine the type of ponds that can be built. By George Katongole. Fish farming and associated industries have expanded through the 1980's and 90's. Although some fish farming in USA raises recreational or ornamental fish, the majority is finfish produced for consumption. Additionally, the business has good export potential. A detailed economic analysis of various fish culture enterprises can be obtained through the Langston University computer program dealing with this topic. The market demand for shrimp is high, and the business can be started small or on a very large scale. Even if you’re not interested, it’s good to keep up with what’s going on in the rest of the global food supply chain. While it’s a clean and greener system, for aquaculture to actually to work beyond the laboratory setting, indoor fish farms need to be profitable. Stocking rates are determined by experience, availability of aeration equipment and the amount of risk the fish farmer is willing to assume. Stocking rates are based on surface acreage, not on pond volume. Fish farming is no doubt profitable. To see all exchange delays and terms of use, please see https://www.barchart.com/solutions/terms. If, in the final analysis, you decide that fish farming is a possibility for you, then do give fish culture a try. Fish. If it is a sea pool, there are many fish can be aquaculture. Linkedin. Catfish fingerlings and harvesting with hook and line for enjoyment or home consumption; or experimenting with lift nets or traps as a means to a more total fish harvest. Rehabilitation Research and Training Center, Financial Statements for Fiscal Year 2017, Financial Statements for Fiscal Year 2016, Institutional Advancement and External Affairs, Langston University Foundation Scholarships, LANGSTON UNIVERSITY RECEIVES A $1,300,000 GRANT FROM THE US DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ENHANCE STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES, LANGSTON UNIVERSITY WELCOMES THE HIGHEST ACADEMICALLY ACHIEVING INCOMING CLASS FOR THE FALL 2020 SEMESTER, 1890 UNIVERSITIES, ELECTED OFFICIALS, BUSINESS & COMMUNITY LEADERS TO CELEBRATE THE 130TH ANNIVERSARY OF MORRILL ACT OF 1890, Langston University and Oklahoma State University enter agreement regarding programs in Tulsa. Flat to gently sloping land is best. Twitter. Large dike ponds appropriate for fish culture can be built for the least expense. In reality it is difficult to find markets unless fish are available for sale; consequently, it is much easier to expand production and markets once fish have been sold and a reputation for a consistent quality product is established. No one that he has heard of is doing the full vertical integration loop, which would mean growing soybeans, processing soy meal, using it in fish food production, growing fish, processing fish, and reclaiming the unused fish parts (fish meal) back into the fish food processing plant. "Alternative" agricultural enterprises may be eligible for some low cost government backed loans or other special lending instruments. Watershed pond acreage should be calculated at the low summer level unless pumped water is available to make up for evaporation. This is especially so when they feed at the low end of food chain or when cheap but nutritious ingredients are used in making fish feed. These programs should not be overlooked as potential sources of funding. The raising and selling of fish on a commercial basis has proven to be economically successful throughout the United States. Saturday October 31 2020. 15-25 gallons per minute flow per acre of pond. Starting small also gives the fish farmer time to develop markets. Commercial fish farming has already established as a profitable business venture throughout the world. Agriculture was the main source of generating revenue before oil was discovered in Nigeria. Catfish farming consists of two most important types, which could either be operated separately or as an integrated process. Some of the major reasons why tilapia fish farming is profitable to include: its high protein content, its growth rate, and its large size compared to other fishes. Summary. What was abhorrently clear from day one, was that animal welfare meant everything. Hard to say in the face of fertilizer runoff laws, suburban residential development, anti-GMO sentiment in certain countries, pollinator stress, competition for irrigation water, and other potential headwinds. Facebook Count. 0. Existing ponds can be used for fish culture but their use is often limited because they can not be drained or seined for an efficient harvest. Generally, the small-scale farms sell the fresh fishes for retailing while large-scale farms sell the fishes to the slaughterhouses for further preparation and export. Fish farming is an ancient practice that can provide many profitable opportunities today. No pollution hazards. Fish is a great source of food and protein. In Virginia, fish farming is growing in popularity. AgroBusiness Times - October 9, 2017. The future nationally for aquaculture, particularly catfish culture, appears bright. Fish farming is undoubtedly profitable. Here at Profitable Fish Farming we will be publishing a weekly update including the latest price of table size catfish as well as other catfish feed ingredients you will need for a profitable catfish farming business in Nigeria. Hill ponds built in draws can be used for fish culture if they are built wit ha smooth bottom suitable for seining and are drainable to facilitate harvest. Small existing ponds can be a good place to try out fish farming or raising small quantities of fish, but they are generally not suitable for commercial fish production. And finally, if the potential fish farmer determines that aquaculture is not a suitable enterprise, for whatever reason, little money or labor will be lost. Willingness to check fish and water quality conditions in the predawn hours. How much labor is involved? The start up costs are often too high and experience is needed to consistently produce a profitable harvest. China, Taiwan, and Japan are the largest eel producing countries in the world, but significant quantities of eels are also farmed in Europe and America.