POTENTIAL OF PRODUCING ORGANIC FISH AND POULTRY FEEDS FROM AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD WASTES AS SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVES FOR FARMERS IN KADUNA, NIGERIA

Abstract

The high cost of feed for fish and poultry has significantly contributed to the high cost of fish and poultry products, leading to reduced production and farmers’ interest and profit, thus, leading to food insecurity.  This study investigated the potential of transforming locally available agricultural and food wastes into sustainable organic feeds for fish and poultry farming in Kaduna, Nigeria. A feed formulation was compounded from organic agricultural waste such as rice husk, cassava peel and fruit peels, and its proximate analysis was compared with those from foreign (Coppens) and locally available commercial feeds (Chikun), using standard methods. Locally produced feeds (A) exhibited high lipid (17.33%) and fiber (45.00%) content, making them suitable for poultry, but lacked sufficient protein (7.92%) compared to foreign fish feeds (25.65% protein). Nigerian poultry feeds (C & D) were rich in carbohydrates (38.92–41.37%) but low in lipids and proteins, limiting their suitability for fish. Feed compounded from these wastes is locally available, cost effective and has appreciable proximate content comparable with both foreign and locally formulated feed. Therefore pilot trials for feed formulation, farmer education, and policy support to promote adoption are important to ensure food sustainability.