Plateau State A Gold Mine For Fish Farmers.

 

Plateau state which is located as one of the North Central states of Nigeria. Blessed with tourist attractions, and several natural resources. It is also a hurb for agricultural practices because its climatic condition supports the growth of exotic species of spices, vegetables, crops, flowers etc.
Irrespective of the aforementioned potential on the plateau, fish farming is a gold mine for the plateau people because the various climatic conditions readily support the culture/growth of freshwater fishes both warm and cold water species naturally or artificially.
Question 1: If the above statement is true, why are most catfish farmers not  been able to make profit?
You need an understanding of the climatic condition and the required water temperature needed for uptimum productivity.
#Cat fish are categorized as warm water spices, which requires 26-32 degree Centigrade for uptimum production (enhance growth/feed convention to flesh).
That is why people in warmer environment on the plateau(lowland)Shandam, Wase, etc. should venture more into catfish farming and fingerlins production.
Those on the cold region (up-land) Mangu, Panskhin etc. There is hope for you, you can also farm catfish.

Question 2: When can I stock my fish?

# Between March - June for those on Up-Land (Mangu, Bokkos,Pankshin).

#Between February - June for those on Low-Land (Shandam, Lanktan)

This period is also save for fingerlings production in both the Up/ Low Lands. Also note that these periods represent the best feeding regime for culturing catfish on the plateau.

Question 3: How do I  feed for uptimum profit?

Feeing of fish is a serious business because feeding represent more than 50% of your inputs. Thereby  determine your profitability. The archaic practices were the fish farm keeps feeding until he achieves 1kg; while  

others feed to 6 month. It doesn't pay you right?
Question 4: If so, what is the right way?
The approach is to know the science in fish feeding. That is FCR (Feed Conversion Ratio) it tell you the quantity of feeds you need to achieve certain kg. With this every kg of feed given to your fish is important.
#Always request from your feed vendors the FCR of the brand of feed you buy.
#Buy and stock quality Fingerlings (3-4g) or Juveniles (6-10g).
To be continue...