Probiotic Feed Technology Innovation for Food Security in the Fisheries Sector (Case of Tilapia Cultivation with Homemade Feed)

Feed technology innovation is one of the key factors in supporting food security through the optimization of aquaculture productivity. Tilapia farming plays a strategic role in the development of the fisheries sector, with feed management being a determining factor in growth performance. This study aims to evaluate and compare the growth performance of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fed with probiotic-containing pellets (Probio_FMUBB) and standard pellets without probiotics. The study was conducted from September to December 2022 in earthen ponds. Two floating net cages (10 x 10 meters) were used to house 1,500 tilapia fingerlings per cage with an average initial weight of 3.5 g. One cage was fed Probio_FMUBB, while the other served as the control. Samples were collected every two weeks from 10 fish per cage over five intervals. Results showed that tilapia fed with probiotic feed exhibited higher weight gain (61.6 g) compared to the control (54.5 g), although length gain was not significantly different (average 14.6 cm). Water quality parameters, such as temperature, pH, and phosphate, did not show significant differences, but ponds with probiotics had higher dissolved oxygen levels and lower ammonia levels. These findings support the potential use of probiotic feed to enhance tilapia farming productivity and promote sustainable food systems.