Fish farming has great opportunities in Uganda and you also can go for large scale commercial production. Here we are discussing more about commercial catfish production in Uganda.
Commercial fish farming has been embraced by many farmers in Uganda due to mostly the limitation of fishing on Lake Victoria which has many fishing landing sites and also to meet the market demand for the different species in the country. Some of the benefits that come with commercial fish farming in Uganda is the source of income it generate for the farmers, fish is good for food nutrition, it has reduced unemployment and it is a form of revenue to the government. As you think about what you need to start fish farming in Uganda, Below are some of the most important things and requirements you should put into consideration in order to have a profitable fish farming business in Uganda.
How to Start Fish Farming in Uganda
Commercial fish farming is a very popular business in Uganda. You will get your invested money back very soon.
There are some problems in fish farming business in Uganda. Common problems are high feeding costs, low water quality, shortage of improved seeds, inadequate technical management etc.
People ask many questions about all you need to start fish farming in Uganda. Please consult with some existing farmers in your area to know more about the amount of profits they make from this business. Here we are listing the most common tips about this lucrative business.
1. Select Fish Species
There are numerous species of fish around the world. All of those species are not suitable for farming according to the weather and climate of Uganda.
Some of the fish species that can be produced in Uganda include Tilapia, the African catfish, gold fish, trout and the carp fish. The best species to produce in Uganda is the African catfish and Tilapia because the market demand is high as compared to the rest of the species.
A few of those African catfish can be used for commercial fish farming in Uganda. Clarias gariepinus, Heterobranchus bidorsalis, Heterobranchus hybrid (Heteroclarias), Clarias nigrodigitatus, Heterobranchus spp, Clarias spp etc. are common and most popular fish species in Uganda for commercial fish farming business.
Read – How to Start Tomato Farming in Uganda
2. Choose Good Farm Land
This is the second step taken in fish farming in Uganda. Some of the things that you should consider when choosing the perfect land for constructing the ponds for fish farming include good transportation, enough fresh water supply, well trained labour and the type of soil found in the area.
Try choosing land which is big enough for future expansions, avoid polluted areas, choose land which is far away from farm land with crops, avoid land which is not levelled and avoid a site which keeps on flooding.
The best land should be a little lower than the water source to allow easy pumping of the water into the ponds and the soil should have at least a little clay in it to help with the water retention.
3. Farming Method
Concrete tanks and fingerling outdoor systems both are very suitable for fish farming. Most species of fish are cannibals.
So, you have to take proper care during sorting them as outlined by their size. In case of fingerling outdoor culture, you have to prevent the predatory insects.
You can ensure their protection by covering the tanks with mosquito nets. This will keep the predatory insects away from your fish.
4. Construct Your Fish Pond
When you are through with the site selection, the next step is to choose the best pond design and how they are going to be constructed.
The type of pond that you choose should be able to be a home to the type of fish that you intend to produce. The different types of fish require different designs in order to grow well and after selecting the fish species, the design will come easily.
The pond design also depends on the number of fish you are to keep. If you are into mass production, then the best pond would be large enough to accommodate all the fish. If not, you can construct several ponds to accommodate the large fish production. After constructing the pond, make sure that you apply the necessary fertilizers before filling it with water.
5. Feeding
For successful fish farming and better production in Uganda, you have to feed the fish good and nutritious supplementary fish feed.
Always ensure sufficient availability of amino acids like arginine, methionine, lysine and crude protein in their feed. Fishmeal is a great source of crude protein.
You can also use some low cost conventional or unconventional animal by-products and plant residue in fish feed.
Nowadays, most of the fish farmers of Uganda are using pelleted floating feeds. This types of food ensure all necessary nutrients for fish and help to increase growth rate and production.
5. Breeding
Generally, artificial breeding through hormonal induction is used for fish. After successful breeding, you have to take special care of the fry during the first week.
During this time you can feed the larvae zooplankton. The main problem with fish is their cannibalism. So, keep the different aged and sized fish separate from each other.
Fish farming is a great business idea in Uganda. And the demand of fish is increasing rapidly. Because, it is a great source of nutrition and food. And there is already a suitable market available.
As a developing nation, fish farming can play a great contribution in the national income in Uganda. The government have to create more and facilities for spreading fish farming business throughout the Uganda.
Is fish farming a profitable business in Uganda? Yes, commercial fish farming is a very profitable business in Uganda. You can start this business to make money.
Tips to start fish farming in Uganda? Starting a commercial fish production business in Uganda is very easy and simple. You can easily start this business if you follow the steps mentioned below.
- First of all, make an effective business plan.
- Then choose a very good location for your farm.
- Ensure a good source of water is available near your pond.
- Make one or several ponds depending upon your land.
- Select the right fish species for your production. Consult with some existing farmers in your area before selecting the fish species.
- Purchase healthy fingerling or juveniles from good supplier.
- Feed your fish with good quality and nutritious food.
- Provide them with required medications.
- And always try to take good care of your fish and monitor their health on a regular basis.
