Joshua Kato
1 July 2009
book review
Kampala — ONE of the biggest problems facing Ugandan farmers is lack of technical information about their enterprises. They also lack access to extension services.
Fountain Publishers, has published a series of manuals for farmers about livestock, apiary farming, fish farming and pig keeping.
The 10 books, complete with both photographic illustrations, were published in conjunction with I@mak project. Our column will carry out reviews of each of the books.
Fish farming as a business is a complete guide to whoever wants to make it through fish farming.
The book was put together by experts in the field. They include; Dr. Justus Rutaisire, a researcher, trainer and adviser on aquaculture. Rutaisire has worked with the National Agriculture Research Organisation (NARO) and the private sector on aquaculture in Uganda.
Dr. Gladys Bwanika is a lecturer in the Department of Zoology, Makerere University and a specialised fish biologist.
David Kahwa is a PhD student at Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South-Africa, while Peter N. Walekhwa is an assistant lecturer in the Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness in the Faculty of Agriculture, Makerere University.
The book combines technical aspects of fish production with aqua-business principles and provides a basis for further innovations in the production and marketing of farmed fish.
The chapters are arranged to suit farmers in every step they take from the time he/she decides to engage in the business.
Chapter one gives elaborate step by step procedures on deciding on location of ponds, creation of cages, hapas and fish tanks.
Chapter two and three are on feeds' production. Expensive fish feeds and their scarcity has been a big problem for fish farmers.
It also includes directions on how the various fish species can be handled (spawned). The species include African cat-fish, common carp and Ningu.
Chapter four and five deal with fish farming systems, practices and management.
Chapter six deals with aqua business. This includes keeping proper farm records, pond management records, breeding and larval rearing records and farm records.
The book carries enough inspiring examples from Uganda. These include Kajjansi fisheries research center, Umoja fish farm and Aquafarm in Wakiso.
The references to other parts of the world, for example Malawi, China and Denmark are plausible. It's an inspiration to Ugandan farmers.
Overall, it is a well-packaged hand book that can be understood by the average farmer in the village. The photographic usage is so clear that a farmer just needs to look at a photo and apply it in his/her garden. It is a must reference for all fish farmers.
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INTRODUCING THE CATFISH FARMING BUSINESS
VENTURES BLUEPRINT REPORT"
The point here is not about being a catfish farmer or owning a farm location but doing
business that the catfish farming production industry depended upon directly or indirectly
and making huge profit all year round and building this into a big business ventures that
return high yield on investment.
Like is said earlier , my list is inexhaustible, I can mention but a few familiar ones:
1. fingerlings production
2. juvenile production
3. grow-out techniques
4. importation of frozen catfish
5. exportation of smoked catfish
6. smoking of catfish
7. frozen of catfish for exports
8. Processing catfish into fillets, boneless brandable products.
9. selling catfish to bank, restaurant, hotels
10. marketing of catfish
11. construction of catfish farms
12. construction of hatchery
13. recirculatory hatchery system setup
14. feeds and feed formulation enterprises
15. management of fish farm
16. consultancy
17. training and seminars
18. catfish information products marketing
19. fish health diagnostic laboratory services
20. ornamental fisheries
21. fish drug store
22. transportation services
These are a few of the ventures, I still have over 10 that are included based upon
personal research and experience..
I have taking the pain to give detail step by step guide on all the listed ventures so
that even a layman or a dummy can read , understand the content of these book and start
any chosen field of endeavours to a successful ends in catfish farming industry.
Also included a feasibility reports in some cases to guide to financial and management
requirement of of the ventures.
I have provided as much details as can be considered required to start up a catfish
farming enterprises.GET A COPY NOW www.catfishfarmingbusiness.com