ruxton06: @op, nice post.
I do have some questions.
Pls is your location Abeokuta?
Is there a ready market for the smoked fish?
How much does your smoking kiln cost?
Thanks.

boluwajokosegun: Good one considering the fact that Fg is placing ban/new regulation on fish importation in niaja. It is better to do the dry fish processing biz. please do send me your phone number via email , mine is eesteeresoureces@gmail.com.

boluwajokosegun: Good one considering the fact that Fg is placing ban/new regulation on fish importation in niaja. It is better to do the dry fish processing biz. please do send me your phone number via email , mine is eesteeresoureces@gmail.com.

tunnex190: Thanks and nice one here. I'd love to get detailed information about this fish farming stuff. I also reside in Ibadan. How can we get to meet and discuss this?

ayofag: Thanks. Firstly, i was in abeokuta last month, but now in Ibadan consulting for a fish farm, Smoking kiln that would contain 200 fishes in a batch would cost 28k to 33k, but i could as well advise you on how to reduce cost by getting a welder to construct one with a cheaper price, i also helped a friend to convert his condemned fridge to a smoking kiln. About the marketing part, there are ready made markets in various places even in abeokuta, it is a city with most institutions in the country, it all depends on your packaging plan but a feasibility study must be worked on even in abeokuta markets, kuto and the likes. You can follow my thread to get better understanding about the business.

ruxton06:
Thanks @op.
Getting a condemned fridge is no problem. Perhaps we can talk better thru my email ruxtonakintunde@gmail.com

ayofag: Why do people keep running at loss and eventually closing down the catfish business? The reason is not far-fetched; most people believe reading articles, manuals books on “How to start fish farming” will make tem successful in the business, that’s a capital NO. There are various technicalities which are known majorly by the fisheries extensionist, consultants and those that practice fish farming. It’s indeed a great priviledge reading this because from now on, I will open your eyes to the various technicalities, business approach towards Catfish farming. There are various businesses I will be writing in detailed about the catfish business.

CATFISH SMOKING
One of the easiest and most lucrative part of catfish business is smoking which can be sold locally or through some links internationally (you will have to contact me personally as regards the international exportation).
Step by Step Approach
1. Buy fresh catfishes of different size about 30, out of which 15 would be big and 15 small. For calculative reasons, lets say 15 big for #420 = #6300, 15 small for #350 = #5250. Total = #11550.
2. Clean the fishes with a soaked towel, then remove the intestines, some fins and the gills.
3. Wash in clean water separating the big fishes from the small ones
4. Get a bucket and pour 20cups of water depending on the total number of fishes with about 20 table spoon of salt. It is called Brining to remove blood, dirts and to add saltiness to the fish. The fishes are soaked for 15 – 20 minutes.
5. Remove fish from brine and rinse with water.
6. Get an oiled smoker rack and place the fishes side down on the oiled smoker rack.
7. Increase heat following the first 2hours to around 200hours until the fish is flaky as well as cooked.
8. Wrap when it is cooled.

COST IMPLICATION
Cost for 15 big fish = #6300
Cost for 15 small fish = #5250
Salt = #30
Oil and miscellaneous = #1300
TOTAL = #12880
In Abeokuta, smoke fish sells between #550 - #900 or more, if sold on average of #800. SELLING PRICE = #800 * 30fishes = #24000
Profit = #24000 - # 12880 = #11120. Highly profitable for 30 fishes.
NOTE: You can contact me for fabricated smoking kilns through my email.
To be continued……….
Questions are entertained

ayofag: Season greetings fellow nairalanders, I appreciate everyone’s calls and mails concerning the catfish smoking business. Some also are very enthusiastic about starting the business and have been ordering for a fabricated smoking kiln, you don’t need millions of naira to start, even as an undergraduate or a graduate that’s a huge money making concept because doing business makes you achieve your dreams and not just waiting at the end of the month for a peanut salary which your fellow business men could make in a single week.
Today, I will divert a little from the catfish smoking business into the catfish barbecue business starting with just a little money virtually less than #15000.
CATFISH BARBECUE
I will be teaching you a very simple approach to catfish barbecue which could also be a source of income in the coming year. You can get a simple stand along a business area or even write proposals to some eateries, joints where you can sell your product in there eateries most especially at night. For students, just find a place. An advantage an educated fellow has over an half- baked person is the packaging and marketing strategy. You can even customize a polo t-shirt in your business name, that’s another strategy.

THE STEPWISE PROCEEDURE
1. Let start with 30 catfish, remove the scales and gut the fish, place inside a bucket of water to rinse and dry with towel.
2. Get a small painter brush and dip inside olive oil or groundnut oil.
3. Season the inside and outside of the fish with salt, pepper, maggi, onion and any other thing you want.
4. Get a newspaper, cut open the center, get a sliced lemon with maybe sliced ugwu (vegetable) or any other sliced herb.
5. Place the sliced lemon and sliced ugwu over the fish and drizzle with extra oil.
6. Wrap the fish up tightly and tuck the insides of the paper to bring out the shape of the paper and tie up.
7. Dunk it inside a bucket of water and place on your rack over open fire for about 20-30mins each side, the paper will blacken out but the fish will remain good.
8. When it is ready, cut the string and paper off, unwrap and sell.

COST IMPLICATION
30 Catfish @ #380 = #11400
Painter brush = #80
Groundnut oil = #100
Salt,vegetable,pepper,maggil,lemon etc = #350
TOTAL = #11930
Catfish barbecue is sometimes sold between #800 - #1000 depending on the size of the fish, if for #800, = 30fishes * #800 = #24000
Profit = #24000 - #11930 =#12070. Highly profitable for 30fishes.
NOTE: you can also contact me for fabricated smoking kiln or consultancy services. Questions are entertained. To be continued…………

oscarvicto: Sent a mail to you. Onyeka okafor

Eazeee:
pls how much does d smoking kiln cost? am thinking of going into fish farming with d intension of drying n selling. can u pls send d picture of d smoking kiln with price as well as any other item required for d business. finally can a civil servant venture into dis business? you can send a reply to eazeee21277@gmail.com
thanks

Factism:
Thank you so much sir for exposing this secret to us and not keeping it to yourself.
I will like to order for another set of smoking kiln, I hope that can be possible ASAP. factism001@gmail.com is my mail.

ayofag:
Purchase yours now and start earning more income from catfish smoking becoming an enterpreneur.