With a global growing demand for fish as an alternative and a more secure source of protein in meals, and other uses, there is a greater need to boost Africa’s position to feed its citizens, by contracting more farmers to join this lucrative industry.
Aqua specialist Mr Piet Seddon said, “Tilapia niloticus, which is also referred to as the ‘bream’, because of its high growth performance, yields and economic benefits compared to other tilapia species, has become a major candidate for commercial agriculture in Africa. South Africa is no exception.
When growing tilapia, one should religiously follow the feeding programme, control water quality and correctly stock the fish densities, in order to harvest the fish within a space of 6mnths and each fish weighing 400 to 800grams each, he explained.
Land recommendations, all types of soil are suitable for pond- construction. The space required depends on the pond sizes chosen by the farmer.
He furthermore elucidated that, genetically improved seeds should be stocked for the farmer to have a good harvest. “We stock sex-reversed fingerlings and deliver seed between the periods of August to mid-April each year. The fingerlings are starved and packed in oxygen bags for transportation. Oxygen bags help to transport the seed for up to 72hrs”, he said
Tilapia can survive and grow without supplementary feed, because of this reason, tilapia grows in fertilised ponds, feeding on Phytol and zoo plankton. These ponds can be fertilised using chicken manure or pig manure or the use of plankton boosters.
If one is into commercial fish farming, the purchase of supplementary pellets is recommended, and these are given in monthly stages, reiterated Mr Piet Seddon. “This is but a piece of information that I can impart from a large chunk that I can supply!” said the Aqua specialist.
By L. Siziba