The surface of the water is calm, and the fish move through it peacefully. The landscape feels quiet and undisturbed. But behind this peaceful scene, everyday work is constantly underway: feeding, harvesting, transport and all the routine tasks that make efficient fish farming possible. Today, traditional expertise must be supported by modern technology and well-organised operations.
The modernisation of the Nagyatád Fish Farm, operated by V-95 Ltd., was supported by a project co-financed by the European Union under the Hungarian Fisheries Operational Programme (HFOP). The investment was carried out as a continuation of previous fisheries developments.
V-95 Ltd. purchased the 364-hectare fish farm from Balatoni Halászati Rt. in 2003. The farm is built around three different watercourses, and the ponds at Tarany, Simongát and Rinyaszentkirály have a history stretching back more than a century. Several of the areas were once connected to former manor estates. One of the farm’s special features is the preservation and further breeding of the Nagyatád mirror carp, a local strain. In recent years, the company has continuously improved its ponds, roads, embankments, wintering ponds and equipment, while its own accredited fish hatchery provides the foundation for production.
The self-feeding equipment purchased as part of the project allows feed to be dosed more precisely. This helps the fish use nutrients more efficiently, meaning the farm needs less feed to produce the same amount of fish. The quantity of fry produced per hectare may increase by around 10%, while the saved pond capacity could allow the farm to raise up to 30 tonnes more market-size fish.
The farm’s operations are also supported by a new fish transport truck. Gentle transport is one of the most sensitive parts of fish harvesting, where loading and transport times are especially important. With the modern vehicle, these times can be reduced by as much as two-thirds. The new truck also supports better organisation and can help reduce fuel use.
The development has also made everyday work on the site smoother. The modernisation of the wintering pond drainage ditch, the stabilisation of the embankments and the renovation of the internal road network all help make work faster, safer and more efficient.
Better roads also mean less strain on vehicles and lower maintenance costs. Transport vehicles can now drive directly to the loading points, so less manual labour is needed, loading is faster, and daily work can be organised more efficiently.
The camera system installed as part of the project contributes to more effective asset protection and provides greater security for work carried out across the farm.
The solutions implemented through the project have also proven their value within traditional fish farming technologies. Together, the modern equipment and improved infrastructure help the Nagyatád Fish Farm operate competitively, efficiently and sustainably over the long term.
The development was implemented from EU funding in the project MAHOP-2.2.1-2016-2017-00026 under the Hungarian Fisheries Operational Programme.
Find out more about the project in the Project Finder:Details
