Feedback: Tips on starting a thriving fish farm
Aquaculture is the only hope to ensure supply that meets the high demand for fish products in the country. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Aquaculture stands to be the only hope to ensure supply that meets the high demand. This will only be possible when there is plenty of fresh water.
- Fish farming is one of the fastest growing food sectors worldwide. The industry grows at a rate of 10 per cent per annum. The sector is offering employment across all the ages.
- Water is the primary factor limiting production where there’s space.
- Kindly note that there are weigh bands available in the market which farmers can use to get live weights for their animals
STARTING A FISH FARM
My name is Ann and I would like to farm tilapia in earthen ponds. I am intending to have 20 ponds by the end of the year and I will continue adding because I have land with big swamps.
I would like to know the challenges I may face and the availability of the market. I have a lot of water on the land
In Kenya, fish harvest from natural water resources has been on a steady decrease despite the fact that fish consumption has increased across all tribes and ages.
Aquaculture stands to be the only hope to ensure supply that meets the high demand. This will only be possible when there is plenty of fresh water.
Most parts of Kenya are endowed with fresh water resources – a potential for aquaculture growth. In your case Ann, you already have a water catchment which should be put into good use.
Water is among the main problems most farmers have especially during the dry spell, this of course isn’t your case. I advise you to take broad steps by excavating earthen ponds.
Agro-Science Park at Egerton University will help you on matters concerning fingerlings and feeds. Marketing fish has never been a problem so long as they are of the table size.
Contact Akidiva Alex on 0718636413 or write to [email protected] for more information
Alex Akidiva,
Biological Sciences Department, Egerton University.
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WHERE TO GET FINGERLINGS
I need a fish farmer or organisation in Nakuru County to sell me fish eggs and feeds for a new fish business.
Kihika
Fish farming is one of the fastest growing food sectors worldwide. The industry grows at a rate of 10 per cent per annum. The sector is offering employment across all the ages.
Among the factors mandatory for success in aquaculture are quality seeds-fingerlings and quality feeds. Egerton University has a fish farm being run by Agro-Science Park. It supplies fingerlings to farmers.
Alex Akidiva,
Biological Sciences Department, Egerton University.
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MANAGEMENT OF POMEGRANATE
Can the good professors also give us tips on how to take care of pomegranate? I intend to plant them somewhere in lower sections of Meru.
Nyamu
Management of pomegranate trees is not difficult, as you just need to prune them regularly and water only when it is extremely dry. The tree is free from pest and disease attacks.
Management of pomegranate trees is not difficult, as you just need to prune them regularly and water only when it is extremely dry. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
The major problem is cracking of the fruits when they are ripe but to solve this, fruits must be picked as soon as they start ripening.
Carol Mutua,
Department of Crops, Horticulture and Soils, Egerton University.
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BEST SWEET POTATO VINES TO GROW
I’m Chege from Naivasha and I’m interested in the following:
a) What is the best variety of sweet potato vines for dairy fodder, and where is it available? Also supply information on nutritional value, and the feeding proportions.
b) Where can I buy a simple sunflower presser.
Over the years, Kalro Lanet and its other research stations across the country have researched and developed different varieties of fodder suitable for different parts of the country.
Farmers are advised to visit the nearest Kalro station or inquire from your sub-county livestock office for advice on the best varieties for your region and where to source them.
Kalro stations also have a lot of literature on different varieties of fodder. With good arrangements, Kalro can source the variety you need from their sister station if they don’t have at the time of visit while the livestock extension officer will be better placed in linking you to other farmers from whom you can source from.
Kindly visit Nakuru Industrial Area for a sunflower presser.
Depending on your specifications, you will be able to acquire either locally manufactured or imported sunflower presser.
Musyoka Duncan Mbai,
Department of animal Sciences, Egerton University.
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BUILDING WATER RESERVOIR
I am from a semi-arid area in Kiambu County and I am in the process of starting agribusiness but I have one problem, which is water. We only have one communal borehole which cannot produce enough water for farming.
I did a research and I discovered that rainwater harvesting mainly surface runoff is better. Please advise on how I can build a good farm pond and how to prevent loss of water through seepage and evaporation as my area is prone to high temperatures.
Julius Mbocha
Pay the farmer now or pay the doctor later… is one of the famous sayings in agriculture. This is a clear indication that agriculture is going to be the well-paying venture owing to the fact that it is VAT exempted.
Water is the primary factor limiting production where there’s space. As water scientists, we design modern, cost-effective harvesting structures (ponds) which can be used to harvest rainwater.
A vast water pan in a farm in Nanyuki. Water is the primary factor limiting agricultural production where there’s space, hence it is advisable to ensure it is sufficient in the farm. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
You are advised to excavate a pond into which a dam liner will be laid to curb seepage. Water harvested will then be useful during the dry season. Contact Akidiva Alex on 0718636413 or write to [email protected] for more information.
Alex Akidiva,
Biological Sciences Department, Egerton University.
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SOLAR IRRIGATION
Kindly connect with an expert on solar-powered irrigation. I need to collect water from a well and pump into a raised tank for farming in Makueni.
Farmer
Please contact Sollatek Kenya on [email protected] or 0703 673243 or 0724 614901.
Carol Mutua,
Department of Crops, Horticulture, and Soils, Egerton University.
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GETTING RID OF RATS IN FOOD STORES
My problem is rodents, specifically rats and mice that attack rice that is in storage leading to post-harvest losses.
Finding a solution to the menace has been really problematic and your help in solving this will highly be appreciated.
Jack Odunga, Budalangi
Buy sticky traps, seal any small openings in the store, use rodenticides (poison baits), consider getting a cat in your home, use a natural deterrent like peppermint oil, observe cleanliness in the store and you can also use zap mice ultrasonic sounds.
Carol Mutua, Egerton University.
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QUALITY CHIA SEEDS
I would like to grow chia, where do I get the seeds?
Emmy Ngetich
Chia seeds. When planting the crop, it sprouts after about two weeks and germinates faster when there is good rainfall, taking some three months to mature. FILE PHOTO | NATION MRDIA GROUP
Please contact Leonard Kamau on 0727 394867.
Carol Mutua, Egerton University.
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WEIGHING PIGS WITHOUT SCALE
I am a pig farmer in Limuru and I would like to know whether there is a way of weighing the pigs manually in the absence of a weighing scale.
Sophia Wambugu
Kindly note that there are weigh bands available in the market which farmers can use to get live weights for their animals (pigs included). Some of the tapes have scales for cattle, pigs and goats.
You can buy from agrovets and always ensure it has the scale for species you keep (pigs).
Musyoka Duncan Mbai,
Department of animal Sciences, Egerton University.
