This is really directed to Ozziedom, since he has recent experience in situp and operations. But. I felt it would make a good discussion again

So what are the Pros and Cons.

What are the sit up costs?

Turned a profit yet daily operation, minus sit up costs?

When do you see a return on the investment?

And whatever esle you can think of?

Hi Ray, If your a workaholic it can be very rewarding,there is always something to do ,always something to learn, if your lucky and you get your ponds right ,your water right ,and your stock are healthy and growing then its great to sit and survey it all at sunset.

But when a pond gets poisoned,or floodwater comes over your bund walls,or the local pilferers decide they want to eat your fish without paying or food and fertilizer prices mess up your budget figures. Then its a pain in the butt.

Feasibility depends on getting suitable land at a suitable price ,availability of water,security etc.

Costs of setting up can be kept down by digging your ponds by tractor if possible, making do with the bare minimum with regard pumping equipment . It is very easy to over capitalise .

What type of fish and what market you intend to service are important in planning.

45-50k per rai of pond nett profit is not unrealistic if you have a good FCR and sell retail.

Anybody contemplating fish farming needs to be willing to work and get their hands dirty many hours a day unless you are mega rich and want to sink mega baht into a big operation.

At present I am doing more landscaping with view to a restaurant in a garden setting with pond side cabana,s and a fishing pond.

Sorry for the delay in response guess I forgot to click the box

I would see a problem with the Thai's expecting the farrang to just give the fish away.

I recently mentioned something to our houskeeper about renting some land to grow rice. The immediate reaction was I would give the rice away. Not exactly what I had mind.

What made me think of fish was recently in purchasing at the same place we always do, a 20% increase, my guess is that is in fuel costs. Not money in the farmers pocket.

The returant idea sounds good. Getting retail is always better.

Secuity I don't see how you could do it any other way then you are and being there.

I think around Udon with a reasonable distance water may be a real problem. As well as land purchase pretty darn expenisive around here there days.

Sounds like you are getting a pretty good handle on it, I'm not surprised