Page 279 - Agriculture_Form_Three

Agriculture for Secondary Schools

(e) Environmental considerations
The location must be free from drainage coming from domestic sewage, polluted
water from industrial waste and chemicals used in agricultural field. The most
important factor to consider is temperature. It is important to ensure that the
water temperature is suitable for optimal growth of the species to be cultured.
(f) Security considerations
The ponds can be located close to the site where trusted people are present for
safety and protection. Alternatively, the area can be fenced and supplemented
with the house of farm attendants.
(g) Site accessibility
It is recommended that the ponds should be close to the homes of the farmers
for easy management. A pond should also be constructed where there will be
easy access to good roads for easy transportation of farm inputs and produce
for markets.
(h) Compliance with local and national regulations
Compliance regarding land and water use as well as environmental management
has to be observed by consulting responsible authorities.
(i) Consideration for future expansion
The site to be selected should be enough for your immediate need and should
consider future expansion plans.
(j) Multiple uses of the ponds

The site for pond has to be selected in such a way that it maximises profit of the
fish farm by making use of the pond water for other activities, for example, for
gardening, livestock watering and other appropriate domestic uses.

Sizes of ponds
Generally, an area of one square metre is sufficient for 10 mono-sex or 5 mixed-sex
fishes. The mono-sex fishes are not able to multiply and they are always male. Mixed-
sex fishes include both males and females, therefore, they are able to reproduce and
increase in number. A fish pond can be as small as 3 m × 5 m × l.2 m and can be as
large as 100 m × 100 m × 1.5 m. The smaller the size the easier it is to manage. It is
advisable to construct many small sized earthen ponds of about 30 m × l5 m × 1.5
m than a single large one.

Procedures of constructing a fish pond
Suppose a 20 m × 20 m × 1.5 m pond dimensions is targeted; making it can be as
follows:
Step 1: Clearing the site
Clear the vegetation either manually or mechanically, then uproot the tree stumps
and remove all the junk on the site.

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AGRICULTURE FORM 3 9.11.2022.indd 268 10/01/2025 12:32