How do I start a small scale fish farm in Cameroon

Whether you plan to carry out small-scale fish farming or large-scale commercial fish farming, follow these 9 steps:

  • Get a good location for your farm
  • Get a good source of water
  • Choose the appropriate fish pond
  • Decide the right species of fish for you
  • Get healthy fingerling or juveniles
  • Understand fish feeds & feeding
  • Start Marketing your fish before they grow-up
  • Be business minded
  • Get good and practical fish farming training

Tips for start fish farming

Evaluating profitability. Before starting fish farming, it is important to check if you have sufficient resources and time to invest in this business. Important aspects to consider are supply and demand, capital costs, operating costs, legal aspects and production capacity. Evaluate the current market and see if there is enough space and demand to accommodate a new fish farm.

Training. Once you think that fish farming is a viable and profitable business, it is recommended that you go to a fishing farm to work in order to learn related knowledge. Before starting a business, you must improve some technical and management skills. Although a training stage will generate less income, it will prove to be valuable in the future. Working in a successful fishery will teach you how to perform water quality management, disease control, feeding, marketing and treatment skills. Without this knowledge, you may encounter difficulties in the future.

Starting small. It is wise for you to start a small fish farm as a part-time business. Build some tanks on your land, learn business details, will generate income and prepare for greater investment.

What are the costs involved in opening a fish farm?

Costs will range, depending on the size and scope of the operation you are starting.

If you are starting an aquarium-based farm, you will need:

  • Tanks and pumps
  • Fish food and refrigerators
  • Water aerators
  • Water testing kits and equipment
  • An investment in the initial parent fish

If you are running at a commercial fish farm you will need:

  • Land for ponds
  • Equipment for excavating ponds
  • Commercial-sized pumps, aerators, and water sources/reclamation devices
  • Boat, motor, and equipment for cleaning and managing the pond
  • Industrial fish food supply
  • Fish processing equipment for shipping and exporting

What are the ongoing expenses for a fish farm?

Fish farming will have some variation in expenses, depending on what kind of fish and how many you are raising. Average associated costs will stem from:

  • Buying fingerlings for your re-stock purposes.
  • Food and maintenance of the fish.
  • Replacing pumps and oxygen/aeration systems.
  • Digging new ponds or buying additional tanks.
  • Electricity per month.
  • Plumbing maintenance.
  • Insurance for employees and the business.
  • Transporting/shipping of fish in and out of your farm.