African Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 2(7), pp. 287-295, July, 2007

ISSN 1991- 637X­© 2007 Academic Journals

Review

Locally produced fish feed: potentials for aquaculture development in subsaharan Africa

U.U. Gabriel^1*, O. A Akinrotimi², D. O. Bekibele², D. N Onunkwo² and P. E. Anyanwu³

¹Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Environment, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, P.M.B 5080, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

²African Regional Aquaculture Centre/Nigerian Institute for Oceanography

and Marine Research, P.M.B 5122, Port-Harcourt, Nigeria.

³Aquaculture Division, Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research, P.M.B. 12729, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: ugwemg@yahoo.com

Accepted 30 May,  2007

Aquaculture development and growth in Africa have been on a low ebb despite the vast aquatic resources that abounds on the continent. Since the introduction of aquaculture to Africa, some decades ago, there have been a lot of innovations, technological advancement and progress in the areas of genetics, seed propagation, pond construction and farm management in general. Despite breakthroughs recorded in these areas most farmers in Africa still rely heavily on imported feed ingredients and fish feeds from European countries, which makes fish farming expensive as fish feed account for at least 60% of the total cost of production. This has contributed in no small measure to the slow pace at which aquaculture is advancing in Africa. This article, however reviewed critically the potentials of locally manufactured fish feed in enhancing, improving and sustaining aquaculture development in Africa. Various methods of processing employed were discussed and suggestions were made on how aquaculture growth can reach its maximum potential in the production of fish through utilization of locally available fish feed ingredients.

Key words: Aquaculture, fish feed, local production, sub-Saharan Africa.