Fish farming businesses in Zambia

Due to the increase in demand for fish and fish proteins, fish farming has become an alternative. Fish farming is the principal form of aquaculture. Fish farming involves raising fish commercially in tanks or enclosures, usually for food. You will find a number of companies listed on this site that raise and sell fish for consumption. The likes of tilapia, bream, barbell and kapenta are sold at wholesale and on retail prices. Fish farming is an exciting area of development and technology that helps protect from overfishing the rivers of Zambia. Find the leading producers of fresh tilapia fish in Zambia here.

Fish farms consist of tanks or ponds in which fish are bred in large numbers, usually receiving a diet of fortified fish feed. In Zambia, the main aim is to sell the fish as food once they have grown to full size. Some farmed fish are also released into the wild to supplement depleted stocks.

It is possible to start a fish farm with one pond of 0.05ha pond for fish farming is approximately Things to consider the cost of constructing the pond, setting up the water supply, stocking of fingerlings, feed and other operational costs.

Commercial fish farms are estimated to have average yields of 3 tonnes per hectare which would give a total annual production of 540 tonnes per annum. Rural ponds have estimated yields of 1 tonne per hectare for a total production of 86 tonnes per year.

To start a fish farm

• Select the type of fish farming.
• Understand the target market.
• Learn the skills required for Fish Farming.
• Calculate the cost.
• Select the right location for fish farming.
• Procurement of equipment needed for fish farming.