Ingredient selection for aquaculture feeds in Muchinga Province, Zambia

Aquaculture in Africa faces significant challenges, particularly due to the high costs of fish feed, which can represent 40-70% of the total production expenses. The present study aimed to analyze the types of local ingredients available for fish feed production, their regions of production, and their seasonal availability. To collect this data, 200 stakeholders were interviewed across four districts in Muchinga Province: Chinsali, Nakonde, Isoka, and Mpika. A total of 20 different ingredients were ranked based on availability and abundance, with 60% classified as plant-based, 27% as animal sources, and 9% as other types of ingredients. Results indicated that among the plant ingredients, the primary sources included maize (Zea mays), which accounted for 27%, followed by sunflower (Helianthus annuus) and rice (Oryza sativa), each representing 22%. Other notable plant sources were cassava (Manihot esculenta) at 9%, velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens) at 17%, cow peas (Vigna unguiculata) at 6.2%, and chikanda (Disa robusta) at 9%. For animal ingredients, the predominant sources were two types of caterpillars, with the first species (Gonimbrasia belina) making up 86% and the second species comprising 14%. Additionally, various by-product ingredients were identified that would be beneficial, including palm seed oil (Elaeis guineensis) 20%, sunflower cake 65%, rice bran 11%, soybean cake 4%, chikanda powder 3%, and cassava chips 7%. The study underscored the diversity of local ingredients in Zambia that can be used for creating fish feeds. Additionally, it offered important perspectives on the sourcing and assessment of these ingredients, suggesting that proximate analysis and digestibility studies be carried out to determine their nutritional properties for possible inclusion in fish feed formulations. By employing these strategies, stakeholders can optimize fish feed production, enhance the overall health of aquaculture systems, and contribute to the sustainability of food production in Zambia. As the aquaculture sector continues to grow, leveraging local resources will be important to achieving food security and economic development in the region. Key words: Aquaculture, Fish feeds, Local raw material, Organic by-products, Zambia