Fish Farms
Tilapia Nursery Farm
Working with the Chiang Mai Aquatic Development Foundation, which has the largest Tilapia hatchery in northern Thailand, hands has supported the development of a fish farm. hands has provided start up capital to dig ponds, purchase fish stock and assist with business development.
The business, although only a year old, is fast establishing a reputation in the community and continues to provide jobs and generate income in the district.
Fry are purchased from the hatchery and grown out to fingerling size in our nursery ponds. This process takes about ten weeks after which the fish are graded for size and sold on to other farmers in the region. Those farmers then grow the fish to full size and supply local markets.
One of the aims of the project is to encourage and assist local people to take up fish farming as an alternative to other, less rewarding types of farming.
Catfish for Schools
Several rural schools are benefiting from small catfish raising projects. hands provides fry and food for one growth cycle while the school staff and children work on preparing the ponds and caring for the fish. When full grown the fish are sold and money is set aside to buy new fish stocks and food for the next cycle. Any profits are used for the development of the schools facilities.