Why SDAc Suggests You Start A Farm Business Based Mainly On Fish Farming Integrated With A Mix Of Complementary Farm Enterprises

You are likely to soon discover(that is if you have not already done so) that I use the phrase "Farm business" in place of "Fish Business" or "Fish Farming Business". The reason is that even though I am mainly focused on Fish Farming, I have a different approach to it - AND I will continue to pursue that different approach for as long as the justifications I present below for doing so REMAIN evident.

Integrated Fish Farming Helps Protect YOU Against Risks & Uncertainties

I use the phrase "Farm Business" to refer to a mix of mainly Fish Farming entreprises integrated with other livestock entreprises(such as piggery, poultry, rabbitry etc) AND complementary crop farming, earthworm rearing, daphnia culturing, commercial feed formulation/compounding etc.

I have carefully studied trends in the Nigerian industry(which remains VERY unregulated and disorganised) and have come to ONE conclusion, which led me - when I started out in 2002 - to decide to focus on practicing something along the lines of what I described above which I choose to call Integrated Fish Farming.

The conclusion: One needs to be reasonably self-sufficient in one's farm business needs - especially as it relates to timely acquisition of essential, and critical inputs which if allowed to vary in quality or availabilty could cause major setbacks in the farm's operations. Critical inputs I refer to include broodstock, fingerlings, feedstuffs etc - the supply/quality of which may not be reliably assured as unscrupulous suppliers may let the business owner down at any time!

It is my opinion, that this approach that involves running a farm business based on a mix of high profit/low capital and operating cost livestock and other entreprises, ensures that ALL the farm's resources - including labour - are maximally utilised ALL year round. This is in contrast to the situation that occurs with exclusive crop and other seasonal farming entreprises which have to be timed to coincide with the various seasons.

So, if you are planning to start a farm business of your own, and want to look forward to - and obtain - REAL long term financial returns, I strongly suggest you choose to make your farm run based on a livestock production entreprise - fish farming(especially catfish) being ONE that offers fairly reliable/reasonable returns with realtively lower capital requirements - integrated with other complementary entreprises.

And That's Why This Site Focusses On Fish Farming

I named this site "Fish Farming Ideas" mini-site because I have come to the conclusion that given the difficult, risky and uncertain nature of our sociio-economic environment, Integrated Micro-Small Scale Fish farming is the easiest, cheapest, AND least risky to learn and startup PLUS it offers - with good management - potentially the MOST rewarding financial returns.

That is why I chose to focus on it over poultry for instance, which is relatively MORE capital intensive and operationally demanding. Over time of course ANY person(who has recorded progressive success in micro/small scale fish farming) can "graduate" to more capital intensive levels.

Ornamental Fish Farming

Incidentally, aside from using them in aquariums, I see a huge money making potential for ornamental fish farming in Nigeria - especially via export sales. This business entreprise enjoyed some level of success some years back when it was first started in this country but a combination of bad practices on the part of some practitioners and other factors led to its seeming 'demise". More on this in the NEAR future - especially when my Integrated Fish Farm becomes fully operational.

Summary - Make Fish Farming The main Entreprise On Your Farm

So, to sum it all up, I believe EXCLUSIVE fish farming for individuals and small groups operating on micro to small scale is a bit too risky and prone to negative impact of the unpredictable economic climate out here in Nigeria. Elsewhere this may not be that much of an issue of couse(That's up to the farm business startup/owner to decide).

For instance today petrol price is no longer 65 naria per litre. Instead it has jumped up ten "NAIRA" steps to 75 naira per litre - courtesy of a govermnent increase. This - like other unplanned, and therefore unexpected government policy changes before it - WILL have a multiplier effect on so many operating variables/inputs used on many farms. By having a complementary mix of entreprises, the fish farmer cushions his farm business against direct impact that could in its worst manifestations, "KILL" it - literally speaking.

Final Words: Make Sure You Seek Competent Counselling

All that I have said here is of course my personal opinion. Please REMEMBER that you DO NOT have to accept my ideas - and I strongly suggest you seek the counsel of competent professionals in making up your mind.

Note however that in taking advice from ANYONE (myself included) you will need to check and make certain that s/he has a FULL appreciation of the dynamics that come to play in the running of the farm business entreprise(s) being considered. What I offer you here is derived from extensive experience-based evaluation of the challenges faced by owners of the farm businesses mentioned.

My training in Agricultural Extension Services, and my experience in Best Practice/Continuous Improvement Process Management (acquired in the fast paced workplace of a multinational company that practiced World Class Manufacturing) gives me a VERY strong and unique advantage to provide this kind of farm business/process mangement support service.

The fifteen to thirty minutes I spend in a farm business' process area asking questions and observing operations plus looking through records are often enough for me to do an ACCURATE SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS. Within that time, I can come to a fair estimation about a farm business' NEED FOR MY SERVICES(which would imply the abscence of the BEST PRACTICE systems I CAN help to put in place).

In summary, I will say that given a LEVEL PLAYING FIELD, where those who wish to have me serve them provide a FAIR and IMPARTIAL enviroment for me to work in, I can help ANY farm business owner who engages me, to IMPROVE the way his/her farm business is managed in a manner that facilitates increased output/profit returns at less cost, with less effort/resources, and in less time than what currently obtains there.

If you need help making up your mind about what farm business to venture into, I suggest you read my article titled "14 Questions You Need To Ask Yourself In Order To Choose (& Successfully Startup) The Right Farm Business". Alternatively, you can book an appointment to meet with me and discuss the various considerations to arrive at a decision.

Page Created: 1st June 2007

Page Updated: 3rd December 2011