With big investments going into catfish production, the fortunes of Ghana’s catfish farmers have also risen substantially and left many wondering if it will outstrip tilapia in the near future. The high demand and consumption of Catfish have made the business very profitable if well-managed. Catfish have lots of potential and adapt so well to their environment that they thrive worldwide. It is a good source of various nutrients, which is low-calorie, high-protein seafood great source of nutrients, including vitamin B12, selenium, and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
Catfish are easy to grow and breed. Especially if you feed them the correct amount of food and nutrition, they grow quickly. Catfish farming usually takes place in large ponds, cages, or circular tanks and after just six months, the fish is ready to eat. At the moment, most of the catfish are consumed locally. This can be seen with the country’s many catfish grills opening up. With the ‘point and kill’ (customers can choose their fish from a tank of live ones) as popular bait. It is usually paired with hot pepper and Banku or fried yam.
Aside from the flavour and taste of catfish, it protects the heart from disease and lowers the amount of cholesterol in the blood. It helps keep the eyes bright and healthy. They also contain collagen, a substance that keeps the skin firm and flexible. It is known to also protect the skin from the harmful effects of UV damage and helps skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
Eating Catfish can improve your circulation and reduce the risk of thrombosis.Omega-3 oils found in fish help to save your body from having to produce eicosanoids, a hormone-like substance that can make you more likely to suffer from blood clots and inflammation. Including fish as a regular part of a balanced diet has been shown to ease the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, a condition that causes the joints to swell up.
To start rearing catfish with an aim for success, one would have to consider the size of the farm, production, capital, intended number of stocks, location, pond, market, species of fish, and water availability.
The introduction of Catfish into the Ghanaian fish market will encourage the growth of fish farming, where there will be an array of fish, anytime someone wants to shop.
If you’re looking to eat healthier, catfish can be a healthy addition to any meal, by using popular cooking methods like baking, grilling, and smoking. It is well worth incorporating into your routine.
