Ghana is on the brink of a revolutionary change in aquaculture as researchers and industry stakeholders collaborate to develop alternative, cost-effective fish feed. The high cost of commercial fish feed, primarily due to competing demands for corn and the expensive import of soy meal, has hindered the growth of the aquaculture sector in many African countries.
Ghanaian researchers have been exploring substitutes for traditional ingredients like corn and soy meal for over two decades. Cocoa pod husk, coconut cake, palm kernel cake, and groundnut cake were identified as promising alternatives, but anti-nutritional factors limited their inclusion in commercial production. Recent developments signal a shift, with plans underway to produce commercial fish feed based on alternative ingredients.
The Ghana Aquaculture Association, in collaboration with the Fisheries Commission and the Norwegian Agency for Development, organized a workshop on the “Commercial Development of Fish Feed.” Presentations from key institutions and fish farmers were followed by practical tests of alternative feeds at a modern processing facility. The workshop marked a significant step forward in addressing the rising concerns of fish farmers grappling with escalating feed costs.
Trials will be conducted with aquafeeds incorporating alternative ingredients such as wheat bran, rice bran, corn bran, black soldier fly larvae, duckweed, azolla, and leucaena. The initial trials will involve grow-out feeds tested at various locations, and efforts will be made to address anti-nutritional factors in palm kernel cake, cocoa pod husk, and other alternatives. The ultimate goal is to select formulas for large-scale processing.
Experts and industry players are optimistic about the potential impact of this initiative. Kofitsyo Cudjoe, a senior adviser at the Norwegian Veterinary Institute, expressed confidence in witnessing a significant change in aquaculture development in Ghana. Stakeholders believe that embracing alternative feed sources could not only reduce production costs but also contribute to filling the substantial gap in fish supply.
David Adade, CEO of Windmill Farms, shared his positive experience using alternative ingredients like duckweed, water lettuce, and black soldier fly larvae, emphasizing the viability of these alternatives. Livestock nutritionist David Pessey anticipates profitable fish farming in Ghana and envisions sharing the success with other African countries. Discussions are also underway with the government to explore the development of a single-cell protein (SCP) facility, potentially offering a breakthrough solution for affordable local and African aquaculture feed.