Affordable Fish Feed Production: Formulation and Pelleting of Low-Cost Feeds

Empowering Aquaculture with Affordable Feeds

Formulation and Pelleting of Low-Cost Feeds" is a critical aquaculture technology that aims to reduce the high cost of fish feeds in Sub-Saharan Africa. Fish farming operations often allocate a significant portion of their budget, around 60% to 70%, for imported or overseas blended feed ingredients. This technology facilitates the local production of affordable, nutritionally balanced fish feeds. By leveraging extrusion and pelleting techniques, it enhances feed stability, nutrient delivery, and ease of handling. This innovation has the potential to significantly boost the profitability and sustainability of fish farming businesses in the region.

This technology is TAAT1 validated.

8•8

Scaling readiness: idea maturity 8/9; level of use 8/9

Adults 18 and over: Positive high

The poor: Positive high

Under 18: Positive medium

Women: Positive low

Climate adaptability: Highly adaptable

Farmer climate change readiness: Significant improvement

Biodiversity: Positive impact on biodiversity

Carbon footprint: Same amount of carbon released

Environmental health: Moderately improves environmental health

Soil quality: Does not affect soil health and fertility

Water use: Same amount of water used

Problem

High Cost of Fish Feeds: Fish farming in Sub-Saharan Africa faces significant constraints due to the expensive nature of suitable fish feeds.
Reliance on Imported Ingredients: A substantial portion of operating expenses for fish farmers is allocated to imported or overseas blended feed ingredients.
Inefficient Nutrient Transfer: The use of simple ingredients like unprocessed grains results in poor stability in water, hindering nutrient transfer and increasing pollution.
Storage and Transportation Difficulties: Handling and storing feeds made from basic ingredients can be challenging, impacting their transport and storage.
Limited Profitability: High costs and inefficiencies in feed production can reduce the profitability of fish farming businesses.

Solution

Formulation of Affordable Fish Feeds: The technology focuses on formulating and manufacturing affordable fish feeds by combining locally grown crop and animal products and utilizing extrusion and pelleting technologies.
Improved Nutrient Transfer and Reduced Pollution: Pelleted fish feeds are more stable in water compared to simple ingredients like unprocessed grains. This enhances nutrient transfer to fish and reduces pollution in aquaculture ponds.
Enhanced Storage and Transport: Pellets are easier to store, package, and transport, contributing to cost-effective distribution.
Customization for Different Species: The technology allows for the customization of feeds to suit the feeding requirements and growth stages of various farmed fish species, including omnivorous and carnivorous species.
Quick Returns on Investment: Pelleting technology offers a relatively modest investment requirement with quick returns, making it an attractive and profitable business venture for feed producers.
Optimization of Feed Formulations: The technology enables the selection of feed ingredients based on availability, price, and nutrient quality to create nutritionally balanced feeds while minimizing production and delivery costs. It also helps reduce waste and pollution in aquaculture ponds.

Key points to design your project

The “Formulation and Pelleting of Low-Cost Feeds” technology can empower local communities in Sub-Saharan Africa by enabling the production of affordable fish feeds. This contributes to SDG 5: Gender Equality. The technology also reduces pollution, contributing to SDG 13: Climate Action. By promoting local resources, it reduces carbon emissions. The technology supports SDGs 1: No Poverty, 2: Zero Hunger, and 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.

To implement the "Formulation and Pelleting of Low-Cost Feeds" technology in a project, the following activities need to be considered:

1. Organize Supply of Raw Ingredients: Secure a continuous supply of low-cost raw ingredients that are locally available.

2. Site Selection: Choose a production site that is conveniently close to fish farms and transportation corridors.

3. Equipment Procurement: Procure and install appropriate, serviceable equipment for feed formulation and pelleting.

4. Packaging and Storage: Ensure sanitary packaging and proper storage of the produced feed.

5. Marketing: Market the feed products to fish farmers, agro-dealers, extension agents, and others.

6. Contracting: Pre-arrange contracts with fish farms at a profitable and competitive price.

Prerequisites for the project include understanding the nutrient requirements of different fish species, the availability and quality of local feed ingredients, and the technical aspects of feed formulation and pelleting. It's also important to have knowledge of the local market for fish feeds and the logistical considerations for feed distribution.

A team of trainers could provide training and support during project installation. Include the cost for training and post-training support for using the technology.

The technology can be effectively combined with other aquaculture technologies. For instance, it can work well with technologies that focus on improving water quality and reducing pollution in aquaculture ponds. Additionally, it can be integrated with technologies that optimize the use of locally grown crop and animal products.

As for key partners, they could include organizations that have expertise in aquaculture, feed formulation, and pelleting technologies. These might include research institutions like WorldFish. Local farmers and farming cooperatives could also be key partners, as they would be the primary users of the technology. It's also important to collaborate with government agencies for regulatory support and potential funding.

Cost: $$$ 1,200 USD

Production of 1 ton

85,000 USD

Equipment of production

Countries with a green colour: Tested & adopted
Countries with a bright green colour: Adopted
Countries with a yellow colour: Tested

Countries where the technology has been tested and adopted
Country	Tested	Adopted
Benin	Tested	Adopted
Botswana	Tested	Adopted
Cameroon	Tested	Adopted
Côte d’Ivoire	Tested	Adopted
Democratic Republic of the Congo	Tested	Adopted
Djibouti	Tested	Adopted
Equatorial Guinea	Tested	Adopted
Ethiopia	Tested	Adopted
Kenya	Tested	Adopted
Liberia	Tested	Adopted
Madagascar	Tested	Adopted
Malawi	Tested	Adopted
Mozambique	Tested	Adopted
Nigeria	Tested	Adopted
Republic of the Congo	–Not tested	Adopted
Rwanda	Tested	Adopted
Senegal	Tested	Adopted
Sierra Leone	Tested	Adopted
South Sudan	Tested	Adopted
Sudan	–Not tested	Adopted
Tanzania	Tested	Adopted
Uganda	Tested	Adopted
Zambia	Tested	Adopted
Zimbabwe	Tested	Adopted

This technology can be used in the colored agro-ecological zones. Any zones shown in white are not suitable for this technology.

Agro-ecological zones where this technology can be used
AEZ	Subtropic - warm	Subtropic - cool	Tropic - warm	Tropic - cool
Arid
Semiarid
Subhumid
Humid

Source: HarvestChoice/IFPRI 2009

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that are applicable to this technology.

Goal 2: zero hunger

Source Quality Ingredients: Ensure that locally sourced feed ingredients are of high quality and competitively priced, taking into account toxin levels and substances affecting palatability and water stability in feed formulation.
Grinding Raw Materials: Use a hammer mill to grind the raw materials into a fine powder. Smaller particle sizes are preferable as they enhance digestibility, cohesiveness, and water stability. Sun or oven dry the materials before grinding, and ensure uniform particle size for different ingredients.
Mixing Ingredients: Homogenize the ingredients by mixing them manually to create a mash, or for large-scale feed production, use a mechanical mixer.
Adding Binders (if needed): If the cereals in the formula do not provide adequate binding, consider adding cassava starch or a similar product as a binder.
Moistening Raw Materials: Just before extrusion, moisten the raw materials to ensure they adhere together.
Wet Extrusion: Use wet-type steam pelletizers for extrusion, which helps gelatinize starch, further improving the nutritional value of the feed.
Pellet Size: Ensure that the diameter of the pellets is at least 4 millimeters, suitable for most adult fish.