Agricultural Science

How to start a home based fish farming

len Alfred Ajibola - 07th February, 2019 @ 03:31 PM

Topics in Agricultural Science

Soil formation in agricuture Economic empowerment through agricuture Management as a factor of production in agriculture Labor as a factor of production in agriculture Finance as a factor of production in agriculture Water as a factor of production in agriculture Land as a factor of production in agriculture Len Academy Agricultural Science midterm questions for JSS1, 2nd term Len Academy Agricultural Science midterm questions for jss2, 2nd term Clay soil explained with its types and characteristics Loamy soil explained with its characteristics Sandy soil: Characteristics of sandy soil and ways to make it fertile Soil explained with its composition Types of agricultural practices Crop rotation explained Benefits of crop rotation Differences between subsistence and commercial farming Subsistence farming explained with its characteristics What is commercial farming? Types of commercial farming Characteristics of commercial farming


Academic Questions in Agricultural Science

Please click here to see all Questions and Answers

The ideal pH for the optimum growth of most agricultural crop is between _____.

  • A. 1 – 3.5

  • B. 4 – 5.5

  • C. 6 – 7.5

  • D. 8 – 9.5

  • E. 10 – 11.5

  • F. 12 – 13.5

People who go about their lives by raising and herding livestock such as cattle, sheep and goats are said to practice _____.

  • A. Pastoralism

  • B. Pasturalism

  • C. Herding

  • D. Herdsmen

  • E. Animalism

  • F. Anime Farming

The act of giving birth in pigs is called _____.

  • A. Calving

  • B. Piggery

  • C. Kidding

  • D. Farrowing

  • E. Calfing

  • F. Pigging

Which of the following is not a vegetable?

  • A. Cashew

  • B. Cocumber

  • C. Tomatoes

  • D. Carrot

  • E. Squash

  • F. Eggplant

All plants are crops.

  • A. True

  • B. False

In agriculture, macronutrients are essential nutrients required by plants. Which of the following is not a macronutrient?

  • A. Zinc

  • B. Sulphur

  • C. Calcium

  • D. Phosphorus

  • E. Potassium

  • F. Magnesium

Which of the following is false concerning micronutrients?

  • A. They are non-essential nutrients

  • B. They are required by plants in minute quantities

  • C. Iron is a micronutrient

  • D. Chlorine is a micronutrient

  • E. Copper is a micronutrient

  • F. Boron is a micronutrient

_____ is a term that describes the biological, chemical and cultural control tactics employed to make pest management economical, environmentally friendly and socially acceptable.

  • A. Integrated Pest Management

  • B. Integral Pest Management

  • C. International Pest Management

  • D. Inclusive Pest Management

  • E. Imbibed Pest Management

  • F. Inclusion Pest Management



Fish Farming


Pisciculture, fish farming or fish rearing is a great business to begin as an entrepreneur. This is so because almost everyone eats fish, a popular source of protein in our world today.

Investing in fish business is a splendid idea for those who have the knowledge of aquaculture. This is so because a little capital is required to commence this business. Importantly, knowledge on the business side of fish farming is crucial.

Fish business can be very profitable if you get it right. You can easily sell them to the people and restaurants in your neighborhood. You can also minimize your operational spendings by gathering the waste from your environment and the kitchen, utilizing them as feeds for your fish.

If you have little or no idea about fish farming, just relax and carefully read this article, follow the instructions and you will see how interesting fish farming can be.

You can also read on agricultural land and its uses here.

 

Firstly, let’s consider some reasons why you should embark on fish farming:

  1. There is always a great demand for fish in the market.
  2. You don't need a degree or qualification.
  3. It is a profitable business if done right.
  4. You are your own boss.
  5. You can always get a fish specie that grows fast; and with a high marketability ratio.
  6. Water is very cheap.
  7. You can do it yourself if you abide by the fish farming rules.

Fish Farming

 

Steps to follow in starting a home based fish farming:

Below are the procedures one will need to follow as a new fish farmer.

 

  • Get Knowledge

Knowledge is power. Before you go into any business, it is important you have some understanding about the business. In the case of fish farming, you need to understand the physiology and anatomy of the specific fish you intend to rear.

You can start by visiting some of the fish farms around your area. You may also want to utilize the social media platforms on the internet to connect with those in the fish business. In this regard, google, bing and other search engines will be your best friend in terms of learning, direction and knowledge. YouTube is also an ideal platform for visual knowledge.


It is also a good idea to register with a fish training class around your area. You can also sign-up for some online webinar courses in fishery. Joining fishery groups on whatsApp and facebook is also encouraged. Additionally, you may decide to work for free in one of the fishery sites around you.

Adherence to some or all of the above points is vital because knowledge is the key to any business.

 

  • Draw your business plan

Mapping out your business plan is important because it shows that you are indeed ready for business.

During business mapping, you plan the type of fish and the number of produce you intend to make depending on the market demand. To achieve this, becoming familiar with those in your neighborhood can prove useful since they are likely to become your first customers. Also, you will need to calculate your capital and the amount of profit you expect from sales after all expenses had been made. If required by your local law, you may wish to get your fish business license.


It is advisable you begin small because this is probably your first time in the business. You can always expand as the business grows.

Finally, consider all other possible factors before you make a conclusion on fish farming, whether it will be a good business for you or not.

Please read on the types of business structure here.

 

  • Create your fish pond

You will need to create the appropriate space needed for your fish farm. Since it is recommended to begin small, you may dig a fish pond somewhere in your backyard, or better still, get a container, tank, tub or even barrels where you can raise your fish. Connect a water system to your fish container, tank or the dug hole.

With due diligence, make sure the water source is clean and reliable. Your water source could be from a bore hole, or well or from the public water supply.

 

  • Buy Juvenile fish along with their feeds

Based on the knowledge you have acquired on the specie of fish you wish to rear, buy the juvenile fish from a wholesaler and don’t forget to ask for directions and procedures towards its management.

Make proper enquires and buy the best feeds for your young fishes. In addition, seek for instructions on when to feed them with the appropriate diet. It is a good idea you read about the dietary control concerning the specific fish you rear.

 

  • Monitor your fishes and clean all waste

Monitor the temperature and pH of your fish pond. Always replace the water in your fish pond every time you need to. Once again, constantly monitor the pH of your water, making sure it is neither too acidic nor alkaline.

Please read on agricultural terms and meanings here.

As your fish grows, you may need to separate the bigger fish from the smaller ones, so as to prevent them from preying upon the smaller fishes.

Finally, always avoid overpopulation of fishes in your fish tank. Also, make sure the available resource is enough for all the fishes.

 

Note: Whenever things don’t go right, always be quick to ask for assistance from a seasoned fish farmer.

I will further encourage you to read more articles on aquaculture and pisciculture to further increase your chances of success in this business.

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Amazing facts in Agricultural Science

Cows technically have one stomach, not four. However, a cow's stomach has four compartments. These are: rumen, reticulum, omasum and abomasum

Peanuts are legumes and not nuts

Although plants neither see nor hear, they can recognize their siblings and even give them preferential treatments

Squirrels do plant more trees (through their actions) than an average human in their lifetime. They often hide their acorns and nuts underground and forget about them

Cows have got the ability to walk up stairs, but not down stairs

A group of cows is called a team, drove or herd.

People just prefer to call them herd


Notable points in Agricultural Science

Below are characteristics of gymnosperms:

  1. Their seeds have cones that protect them.

  2. Sepals and petals aren't present in their cones.

  3. Stigma and style are absent.

  4. They do not produce fruits. Only seeds are formed.

  5. Companion cells are absent.

  6. Sporophyll form the cones.

  7. Anther and filament are absent.

  8. The ovules are not present in the ovary.

  9. Gymnosperms do not possess flowers.

  10. Please read on the anatomical differences between gymnosperms and angiosperms here

The flower is the reproductive organ in plants' sexual reproduction. In order to achieve a successful sexual propagation or reproduction in plants, the floral parts of the flower are utilized.

The floral parts of a flower consists of the followings:

  1. Sepals

  2. Petals

  3. Stamen

  4. Carpel

The stamen is male portion of a plant. It consists of the anther and filament.

The carpel (or pistil) is the female portion of the plant. It consists of the stigma, style and ovary.

Please read more on plants' sexual reproduction here

An organism will be considered a pest if it does one of the followings:

  • Attack crops and eat its seeds, roots, stem, leaves and flowers. Examples are locust and grasshoppers.

  • Cause damage to stored food, fruits or other agricultural produce. Some may even urinate or deaficate on these products. Examples are rodents, cockroaches and mice.

  • Attack and kill farm animals like goats, sheep and cattle. Examples are foxes, wild cats and snakes.

  • Act as disease vectors. A vector is an organism that carries parasite and other disease causing organisms, without being affected; but when they introduce the parasites into their host, such host becomes infected with disease. Examples of vectors are rodents and mosquitoes.

    Please read more on vectors of diseases here.

Below are the classification of crops based on their uses:

  • Oil crops

  • Vegetable crops

  • Latex crops

  • Drug and Medicinal crops

  • Beverage crops

  • Fibre crops

  • Fruit crops

  • Root and Tubers

  • Legumes

  • Spices

  • Cereals

All crops are plants but not all plants are crops. Below are some instances:

  • Weeds are considered as plants, not crops.

  • Parasitic plants are not necessarily crops. Examples of parasitic plants include mistletoe, corpse flower and striga.

  • Carnivorous or insectivorous plants are not necessarily crops. Examples are sundew, venus flytrap and pitcher plant. The image below shows a carnivorous plant (venus flytrap).

Venus flytrap - Len Academy

 

Meanwhile, always understand that all crops are plants, and they are grown for food, money or something beneficial.

Please read on plants versus crops here