Feedback: All the basics on greenhouse fish farming

KEEPING FISH IN GREENHOUSE

I am looking forward to venturing into fish farming under greenhouse conditions.

The weather extremes are an issue especially in maintaining higher temperatures to spur growth. I plan to keep tilapia, catfish and ornamental fish.

I have experience in aquaculture having been employed as a farm manager/ aquaculturist at the Coast in one of the major farms. I need to have a business plan for the above project.

Farmer

Talking of raising Nile perch, tilapia and African catfish, you need temperatures above 240C since they are categorised as warm water species.

Temperature in this case influence the metabolic activities of fish and any drastic temperature change will slow metabolism, hence development.

Greenhouses have been used widely in crops. In aquaculture, however, greenhouses come in handy as they prevent the drastic temperature drop.

They allow gradual drop in temperature for fish adjustment and better growth. You need a business plan for the venture and kindly send me the starting capital you have and how much you are intending to invest.

Reach me on 0716921364 or [email protected].

Alex Akidiva,
Department of Biological Sciences,
Egerton University.

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I WANT TO KEEP DORPER SHEEP

I would like to start keeping sheep, therefore, I want to know where I can find the Dorper breed.
Philip Kipkemoi

The Dorper is a breed of sheep developed from a cross between Blackhead Persian and Dorset Horn.

This breed is suitable for growing demand for mutton due to its faster growth rate, hardiness, quality meat and fertility.

It has also been used to cross the Red Maasai. The breed is also known to thrive in low agro-ecological zones since they have good adaptation ability.

In addition, they are non-selective grazers making maximum use of limited pasture. They are found in marginal areas including Kajiado.

You can contact the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation, Naivasha station or Katumani in Machakos.

In Narok, the District Livestock Production Department has contacts with selected farmers who sell to other farmers.

Felix Akatch Opinya,
Department of Animal Science,
Egerton University.

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BEST VARIETIES OF SORGHUM FODDER

I need sorghum seeds to plant for fodder for my cows. Could you please tell me the best varieties and where I can get them?

Kimani, Nairobi

Sorghum fodder is one of the suitable crops to ensile if harvested at the right stage.

The crop is also liked for the ability to survive harsh environmental conditions, making feed available to livestock if conserved. You can visit any agrovet near you to buy the seeds.

Some varieties known to do well are E1865 and E1291.

Felix Akatch Opinya,
Department of Animal Science,
Egerton University.

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CANNING OMENA

I am a student of agribusiness and I need help to start a project of omena (dagaa) canning. Kindly advise.

Kelvin Maingi

I admire your zeal and focus. As a student, the fact that you intend to create employment for yourself and others is admirable.

I encourage you to stay on course and make your dream come true. For any business, the first step would be to write a business plan.

This document will contain all details of what you intend to do. In fact, as you write this important document, more ideas will come up and hence refine or make better your original idea.

This will lead to development of a business model (possible ways or raising revenue out of a business). This document will also help you come up with a value chain analysis, where actors in the chain will be identified and their roles.

As a start-up, kindly attend entrepreneurship/agribusiness seminars and training. This will enhance your skills and expand your networks, giving you a wider view of enterprise development.

We run a lot of agribusiness training and business plan development programmes through a mentorship initiative dubbed AgPowered Entrepreneurship all over East and Central Africa.

Please keep reading Seeds of Gold for the next training schedule or send me an email on [email protected]

Dickson Otieno,
Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Management,
Egerton University.

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I WANT TO DRY PUMPKINS

I am interested in drying pumpkins and cassava. Where can I get dehydrators at a reasonable price as Joy Deborah Orwa highlighted?

Farmer

Dehydrators are found in major retail shops around the country, including supermarkets. You may also want to target shops dealing with kitchen electronic devices like microwaves and cookers.

Joy Deborah Orwa,

Department of Dairy Food Science and Technology, Egerton University.

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USING DEHYDRATOR

I am interested in food processing especially drying ripe bananas and pumpkins. I would like to get advice on how best to start this for mass production using the dehydrator system.

This should include machine availability in the country, costs and training.

Nicholas

Dehydrators are available in local retail shops including supermarkets, especially the ones specialising in kitchen electronics.

You need to find out the size of the dehydrator you will require. This will be guided by the amount of product you would like to dry in a day.

If you have enough supply of bananas and pumpkins, then you would need a big dehydrator. The size of the dehydrator will guide you on its price in the market.

Once again this is dependent on how much you are willing to invest. Dehydrators are easy to use and therefore no training will be necessary.

However, the manual needs to be clearly read and understood before operation.

Joy Deborah Orwa,
Department of Dairy Food Science and Technology, Egerton University

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LUCRATIVE MARKET FOR TOMATO PASTE

You responded to my question on tomato value addition appropriately but I failed to state my reason for wanting to engage in the business.

Please advise me on availability of markets for tomato paste? Are there companies that would contract me to do the paste for them? Are there machines to do this?

Jediel Muthuri, Meru

Tomato paste has a wide range of uses especially in the fast food industry.

If you would like to be contracted by a company then you should make a formal visit to companies dealing with fruits and vegetables and find out if that is possible.

During the rainy season, a lot of tomatoes go into waste, therefore, making paste from them will ensure a longer shelf-life.

You should do a proper market research and instead of relying on companies to contract you, you may opt to supply the paste to fast food shops, homes and hotels.

Joy Deborah Orwa,
Department of Dairy Food Science and Technology, Egerton University.