RESEARCH INVESTMENT IN AQUACULTURE FEED TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT AND TRANSFER FOR GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY

Investment in science and innovation is fundamental to developing effective solutions to many of the social, economic, and ecological challenges associated with global food security.  Transferring new and improved technologies to farmers and industry is essential for scaling up farming technologies and best practices for broad adoption.  The AquaFish Innovation Lab develops sustainable aquaculture technologies and systems, with a research portfolio that includes a focus on improving feed efficiencies.  Supporting and partnering with international research institutions allows AquaFish researchers to customize technologies for local conditions and on-the-ground needs as part of this effort to create sustained impacts and effective technology transfer.  

The development of sustainable and affordable feeds and feed strategies for small- and medium-scale aquaculture in Asia and Africa is a major focus of AquaFish research.  Quality fish feeds are critical for optimal fish growth and production; however, commercial fish feeds are often expensive, lack reliable ingredients, and typically are not environmentally sustainable as they commonly contain fish meal as the main protein source.  The greatest production cost for farmers is feed, comprising about 70-90% of total costs in grow-out systems.  The high cost and variability of commercial fish feeds remains a barrier to the profitability of aquaculture operations and is exacerbated by the common practice of overfeeding.   

The use of alternative feed sources and feeding strategies can decrease production costs, reduce reliance on expensive feeds, increase overall fish yield, and decrease environmental impacts associated with aquaculture effluents.  Innovative research on feed formulations is resulting in improved low-cost, alternative feeds that incorporate the use of locally produced, high quality protein sources such as earthworms and maggots.  Research on reduced feeding strategies, such as feeding fish every other day, can successfully decrease input costs without decreasing production.  Similarly, research on enhancing periphyton growth in ponds has shown increases in naturally-occurring food sources for fish that allows for a 50% reduction in feed use and an increased gross margin.