Propagation of Catfish

Catfish fingerlings are produced by artificially fertilizing eggs from adult female using semen extracted from the testis of the male adult catfish. The fertilized eggs are the placed in hatcheries where they hatch after 17 hours after which the frys are gradually fed with york until they attain the length of about 6 cm. This length is attained after a period of 4 -5 weeks.

A mature catfish is capable of producing over 30,000 fingerlings.
The current price of a single fingerling goes for KShs. 5 while an adult weighing 2kg will fetch KShs. 300.

It is common practice for farmer to purchases 200 - 500 fingerlings to stock in one pond. The sales of the fingerling and adult catfish will thus and generate profit.

I will require a maximum of 3 workers to assist in managing the production of this fish farm and hatcheries.

Our target market will be the local market and our two neighboring countries Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania. Efforts will eventually be made to penetrate international markets.

In the local market our target group will be the local fish farmers for the fingerlings and the mature catfish to the general consumers many who consider it a delicacy.

There is constant demand for catfish fingerlings to fishermen in L. Victoria who use them as baits, this is another group that requires a constant supply of fingerlings for their catch.

One requires to have enough supply of brood stock to engage in this enterprise of which we have in our ponds over 300 mature catfish stock in January 2007.

We currently require a building with built in breeding tanks with a running water system into and out of the breeding tanks, a pump, reservoir aquariums and other accessories.

Since there is no one in the district who is offering the same product of catfish fingerlings, the customers will have to buy from me until someone else starts offerings the same product as ours.

We shall market our product by way of communicating by mouth as this is the most effective way to do it in rural areas.
Passing a word of mouth at public gathering will be very handy in promoting our business.

We shall seek the services of government agricultural extension workers in the district to promote our products. Will develop a web site and give out business cards indicating what we produce in our farms.

The nearest competitor is that LBDA fish farm in Rongo. They are not competitors as such as they have always encouraged us to start this business as they are unable to sustain the market.
Despite this, we shall strive to generate constantly in order not to disappoint customers for failing to supply them with fingerlings whenever they need them.

The price of fingerlings have a standard prize. Though one can lower the price slightly to attract customers. Since the price of a fingerling is 5 it can be lowered to 4 shilling.

My product is unique as it entails farming and conserving the nature. Aquaculture cannot be done without water and therefore one has to protect water sources at all costs.

I have received training in fish farming and fish husbandry and have acquired immense practical experience at my farm.

Have conducted visibility studies and found out that there is great demand for fish protein that can not be sustained in the 3 east African countries of Kenya Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania.
If this enterprise is well harnessed income can be realized from exporting fish product.

Farmers have rejuvenated fishponds that were lying fallow since the early 1990’s, in addition more ponds have been constructed as a result of reforms that have been undertaken by the government.

A cording to the Kenya Draft Fisheries Master Plan, fish farming in Kenya is still at its infancy and thus making it a virgin enterprise that need to be exploited.

Failures that I have encountered in fish farming includes flooding, drought, fish predators and lack of quality fingerlings for stocking.

This business will alleviate poverty and hunger among the rural folks in Kuria district. Consumption of fish protein will not only improve the health and well being of the community but also their intellect.

At the farm this business will create direct employment of 4 people who will indirectly create employ to over 500 fish farmers in Kuria district alone.

The business will benefit many women who are best known to add value by deep frying or sun-drying then selling the fish to customers.

The distance will have been shortened of acquiring fingerlings for stocking in fish farms thus bringing resources nearer to the people.

It is expected that in 2-3 years time the propagation of this catfish unit will empower the farmers fish farmers economically to be able to;
- Pay education fees
- Clothe and feed
- Have good shelter
- Be able to carter for medical expenses and any unexpected emergencies

It is expected that after 3 years this catfish enterprise will have penetrated the lucrative export market.