Fish farming is a form of agriculture where fish are reared for commercial purposes. This form of aquaculture is known as pisciculture; which is the rearing of fish by artificial means for market purposes. Fish is a major source of animal protein in Nigeria and the demand for it is growing daily. The fish farming business is a very profitable one all year round as it is not dependent on any season like other forms of agriculture.

The most commonly reared fish in Nigeria is the catfish.

To start up a fish farm, you would need the following:

• Write a business plan. Your entire business rests on your business plan. Before doing this you will need to carry out a feasibility study to enable you to know what is obtainable in your environment. Fish farming requires a measure of expertise for it to be a profitable venture. Carrying out market research is one way to gain the required expertise. Here's how to write a business plan. https://smartsmssolutions.com/blog/122-sms-marketing/sales-and-marketing/1524-how-to-write-an-effective-business-plan

• Next, you should source for location. The size of your fish farm depends on the number of fish you want to rear. A fish farm can be located almost anywhere. Yes, this is rightly said because fish farming has to do with an artificial method of rearing fish. This simply means that as long as you have a constant supply of water you are good to go. Water is one thing that cannot be managed when it comes to fish farming. So ensure you have a steady and dependable source of water for your fish all year round in whatever location you choose.

• As stated, earlier fish farming requires a measure of expertise. Be sure to attend seminars on fish farming and ask experts or experienced individuals for advice on best practices.

• Based on the knowledge you have gathered; it is now time to choose the species of fish you want to invest in.

• After having determined the species of fish you want to invest in next, choose the right kind of fish pond. There are earthen, concrete and plastic tank fish ponds. The one you would settle for depends on your financial strength, available space and some other factors.

• Once you have settled on the choice of the pond, you should begin to make arrangements for water supply if you do not already have a source of water with the premises where the pond is situated. A borehole is usually the safest and surest option. But you might have to consider other options if your finances are limited.

• At this juncture, begin to source for an already existing fish farm where you can purchase fingerlings also known as juveniles. It is advised that you go to a reputable fish farm where you are sure of getting healthy fingerlings.

• Choose the right kind of fish feed. The wrong kind of feed would lead to disastrous outcomes for your investment.

• Do not fail to register with the corporate affairs commission. You would need to come up with a business name before you can do this. Choose a name that speaks to what your fish farm stands for. Here's help on choosing a great business name https://smartsmssolutions.com/blog/118-sms-marketing/small-business/1736-tips-and-tools-for-great-business-names

Marketing strategy

The best time to begin to market your product is when they are still fingerlings. How can you do this? Social media. Create social media pages across all platforms and keep your audience updated with the growth and progress of your fish. Doing this would build anticipation for your products and when they are finally ready for the market, you would already have buyers waiting in line. Look up practical ways how to use social media to advertise your business. https://smartsmssolutions.com/blog/122-sms-marketing/sales-and-marketing/1771-when-to-use-social-media-to-market-your-business

You can also liaise with retailers around you. By retailers, we mean those who sell in the markets and other places like hotels and gardens where fish is purchased daily.

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