Fagbenro, O.A.

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The cost of aquaculture feeds represents about 60-75% of the cost of intensive fish production. Aquafeeds for fishes such as tilapias and African catfishes are compounded from soybean and maize meals. Increasing pressure on the use of these crops by human population and livestock makes their use more expensive, thus stimulating the use of alternative feedstuff sources that are locally and widely available, such as agro-industrial wastes, which are commonly available in west Africa (SSA). Agro-industrial wastes are non-competitive feedstuffs that can be developed as components of aquafeeds. Aquafeeds constitute significant portions of the operating cost in aquaculture enterprises, of which protein is the most expensive. Fish meal (the conventional protein source) supports good fish growth, because of its protein quality and palatability. Good quality fish meal is scarce, and when/where available, it is very expensive. Hence, there is a compelling need to explore the use of alternative protein sources in combating the problem of escalating cost of aquafeeds. The aim therefore is to use agro-industrial by-products in aquafeeds as it is desirable due to their low prices, sustainability and availability. Keywords: Fish production, aqua feed, crop residues, agro-industrial wastes, sub-Saharan Africa