Efficiency and improved profitability of insect-based aqua feeds for farming Nile Tilapia fish (oreochromis niloticus L.)

The study evaluated the suitability of black soldier fly larvae meal (BM) as an alternative protein to fish meal (FM) by investigating the effect of partially and completely substituting fishmeal with BM on growth and economic parameters. Increased productivity of aquaculture farmers is severely constrained by the high cost of fish feeds. The details of the research indicate that the BM33 formulation (33% BM and 77% FM) of feed caused a significantly higher fish weight gain. Substitutions with BM can significantly lower the cost of pelletized aquafeed. Policy makers can support BM integration in large scale feed manufacturing.Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR)Rockefeller FoundationNorwegian Agency for Development CooperationNetherlands Organization for Scientific ResearchWOTRO Science for Global Development (NWO-WOTRO)The Curt Bergfors Foundation Food Planet Prize AwardGovernment of the Republic KenyaWorld Ban