Development of Low-Cost, Sustainable Aquafeed Using Local Ingredients for Small-Scale Fish Farmers in Birnin-Kebbi, Kebbi State, Nigeria

Abstract: In northern Nigeria, feed constitutes the bulk of the cost of catfish production, and this is mainly due to imported fish meal. The effect of the 50:50 ratio of toasted sesame seed meal and sun-dried moringa leaf meal produced from farm-raised moringa leaves in replacing 0, 25, 50 and 75% of fishmeal in isonitrogenous (35% crude protein) diets on juveniles of Clarias gariepinus for 12 weeks was evaluated in the study in Birnin-Kebbi, Kebbi State. Replacement did not significantly affect final weight (33.21–34.51 g), specific growth rate (1.70–1.73% per day), survival (93.3–96.7%) or carcass composition (p > 0.05). Mortality-corrected feed conversion ratio was lowest at 50% (1.771) and 0% (1.775) replacement (p < 0.001). The cost of feed per kg gain decreased from ₦4,967 at control to ₦4,580 (7.8%) at 75% replacement. Replacement of up to 75% of fishmeal can be achieved, and 50% replacement is optimal in terms of feed efficiency and cost.

Keywords: Clarias gariepinus, fishmeal replacement, Moringa oleifera, Sesamum indicum, feed cost, small-scale aquaculture