DOODNAUTH Samaroo is putting much fate into aquaculture, since he sees it becoming one of the more lucrative sectors in the near future.The Essequibo Coast businessman thinks Aquaculture is the fastest growing sub-sector in agriculture, and, aside from tourism, it is the second fastest growing sector globally.

More than 50 per cent of all fish consumed worldwide come from artificial ponds on land and marine cages, compared to some seven per cent 45 years ago.

Having been in the business for the past two years, Samaroo currently has 25 acres of land under cultivation, harvesting tilapia, hassar and the Brazilian fish tambaqui, which grows to a length of three feet and weighs up to 40 pounds.

The businessman and the Kayman Sankar family are the only persons engaged in aquaculture on the Essequibo Coast, a region dominated by rice farming.

Samaroo told the Guyana Chronicle that he is encouraged by the returns on his aquaculture farm, and is looking to expand it to 100 acres.

He began by harvesting tilapia, and, soon after, added hassar and tambaqui in a bid to widen his market options.
Tambaqui is not popular among locals, but is a main delicacy among the Brazilian miners in Guyana, and they comprise his main market for the fish.

Samaroo is also looking for overseas market for his tambaqui, but in the meanwhile remains focused on hassar cultivation, which has been bringing in the returns to keep his farm going.

His tilapias are produced for local consumption, and all of his hassars are sold right on the Essequibo Coast, since, like elsewhere in Guyana, there is a big demand for the fish there.

The businessman keeps a rigid account of his stock. He told this publication that he sold a few hundred pounds of hassar last year, and before year end, will have much more available to sell.
He earned between $800 and $1000 per pound for his hassar, and was able to comfortably recoup his investment costs.

Some 50 per cent of his 100 acres of fish farm will be dedicated to harvesting hassar.

In his 2016 budget presentation, Agriculture Minister Noel Holder said aquaculture will continue to be a main focus of the Fisheries Department, with greater attention being placed on ensuring its progress and increased production.

“Promotion and development of aquaculture within the hinterland areas will continue,” he said.

As proprietor of Samaroo’s Investment, which has been in business for some 36 years, the businessman told the Guyana Chronicle that he stopped cultivating rice in the late 1980s, and invested in diversifying his business. Today, he is also into the spare parts business; the construction industry; and building, repairs and maintenance of pumps and drainage and irrigation structures.