Cost of Tilapia Fish Farming in India – A Full Guide

Introduction: Hello fish farmers, today we are back with a great information on the Cost of tilapia fish farming in India and tilapia fish farming business plan. Fish farming means commercial production of fishes in tanks, ponds, or other enclosures. This is a profitable business nowadays which is followed in many parts of the world. Fish is a great source of energy as it is rich in protein content. Hence the demand for fish and the related products is high in market and that is why there is a great increase in fish farming business around the world. Fish farming business is popular in the coastal areas and for few it has become one of the ways of living for the people.

A step by step guide to cost of tilapia fish farming in India

Fish forms the popular food in the world and has an established market where you can get many kinds of fish that are edible and hence has a great demand for marketing fishes and its products.  One can start a small scale production and then can expand it to a larger scale based on his profits but you can surely earn huge profits in this business. You can also approach or apply for bank loans to start fish farming business. Many banks support commercial fish farming business by providing loans for people who make it as their livelihood.

Fish is the primary protein source for more than 1 billion people around the world. Hence, most of the people directly or indirectly involved in the business of fishes and fish products, as fish farming business creates employment source for any people as it earns a great income. Global fish market exportation business is earning huge profits when compared to any other food commodity.

How to start tilapia fish farming business in India

Today we will learn how to start a profitable fish farming business for which you have to go through the following steps. The steps for starting a small scale or large scale fish farming business includes-
1. Suitable area for fish farming
2.Type of fish farm like cage, tank or pond construction
3. Selecting the high demand fish species
4. Feeding the fishes at right time
5. Care and management in fish farming
6.Harvesting the fishes after attaining the approximate weight
7. Marketing the harvested fishes

Each of the step is described briefly below for running fish farming business successfully.

Suitable area for tilapia fish farming business

This is the most important step to start a commercial fish farming business. You need to keep it in mind that all the areas are not suitable for fish farming. The area with plenty of natural resources are the most suitable places especially the coastal areas, and the areas near to big rivers, streams are well suited for commercial fish farming business. The following points should be remembered carefully while selecting the area to start fish farming business.

• You need to select levelled land and is better to avoid steeply sloped lands.
• It is advised to select a large area of land even though you start a small scale business because the area can be utilised later to expand your business to large scale in future.
• It is better to avoid flooding and polluted area as it harms the fish health and in turn your business.
• Make sure that your land is far away from the crop fields as the farmers for these crop fields use lots of chemicals as fertilisers and pesticides to increase the yield of the crop. These chemicals affect the fishes in the farm if it is nearby the crop fields. Hence, it is advised to select the area which is distantly placed.
• It is better to select the area near to the natural water source and the land should be selected in such a way that it should be lower than the main water source. This helps in filling the farm land with water which reduces the cost.
• The area selected should be provided with good transportation system as it is very effective for marketing the fishes and fish products.

Type of fish farming systems

There are many types of fish farms but only two are specifically used which includes intensive and extensive fish farming systems. You can choose any of them to start your commercial fish farming business.

Cage, pond or tank system for fish farming

You can choose any of the systems such as cage system, tank system or pong system to start your commercial fish farming business. In cage system prepare suitable cage and you can place them in lakes, ponds or oceans and can start feeding them until they reach the required weight.

You can also construct fish tanks for raising fishes for commercial purposes and even you can stock the fishes grown in them. In pond system, you need to construct the pond by selecting good design by taking all the necessities into consideration.

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Make sure that the design depends on the fish species which you have selected and also the area which you have chosen to start commercial fish farming business. You can also learn more about commercial fish farming business by consulting the nearby fisheries institute. Make sure that you always maintain good environment surrounding the pond. These will help to make the fishes grow well to get better yield.

Selecting the suitable fish species

This is the second important step for maximizing your profits if you choose commercial fish farming business. It is always better to select the species having high demand and high price in the market. The most grown or important species used in commercial fish farming business are catfish, tilapia, salmon, and carp. All these varieties have a huge demand in market and can grow well at all types of agro-climatic conditions.

Feeding the tilapia fishes

Feeding is the significant part of commercial fish farming business. Make sure that you always provide nutritious and a high quality food along with natural food. This will make your fish healthy and grow well. Supplementary feed is also necessary which ensures maximum protection of fishes in your commercial fish farming business. In market there are different types of fish feed which are produced based on the type if species you have selected. You also need to provide the necessary nutrients such as vitamins, nutrient elements, minerals, salts, micronutrients, etc. You need to feed your fish farm several times in a day to attain maximum profits.

Care and management in tilapia fish farming business

Care should be taken in providing the proper feed. It is advised to change the water from the pond or tank occasionally, as the pond might get filled with the excreta of the fishes which contains ammonia, which is toxic to fishes in higher concentrations. You also need to monitor the health and growth of the fish on a regular basis. If you are not able to change the water then it is better to get advises from the fisheries institute in managing it by adding few chemicals. Make sure that you perform all the necessary things in a timely manner without any failure. Frequent and thorough check of the water and soil quality is necessary. Care should be taken to prevent all types of predators especially frogs, snakes etc.

Harvesting of tilpia fishes

After the fish attains its certain period of growth in the farm , then it is suitable for harvesting. But this time differs based on the type of species. This period of fish is called marketing age where it can be harvested and ready to sell in the markets. You can use nets to collect the fishes or the easiest method is removing all the water from the pond or tank. It is advised to harvest the fishes in morning time or afternoon.

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How to market tilapia fishes

Ensure that the fishes should be marketed when they are fresh. These will be having high demand in the market. Nowadays few companies are harvesting by themselves and store the fishes by following cryopreservation to export to international market. This has become quite common in many countries earning huge profits.

The cost of tilapia fish farming in India

The cost involved in Tilapia fish farming business. These includes-

Costs involved in constructing the pond, where tube well, renovation, water channel is provided- Rs. 50,000

Costs involved in renting a land for fish farming – Rs. 1,00,000

Costs involved for electricity – Rs. 10,000

Costs involved for water charges – Rs. 10,000

Costs involved in buying fish seeds – Rs. 5,000

Costs involved in fertilizers – Rs. 20,000

Costs involved in feeding the fishes – Rs. 50,000

Cost of medicines used – Rs. 5,000

Miscellaneous charges – Rs. 10,000

The total cost involved in commercial tilapia fish farming business in India– Rs. 2,60,000.