In November 2024, a workshop was jointly organized at R and B Farms by the Ghana National Aquaculture Association, The Fisheries Commission and the Norwegian Agency For Development Cooperation (NORAD), at which researchers, experienced fish farmers and other experts made presentations. Following the workshop, a programme of trials at three farms locations was drawn up. The trials have just been concluded, and a report is expected to be submitted by the scientific committee, very shortly. According to early indicators, the results of the trials are very encouraging.
After the presentation of the results, a number of options will be considered. The originators could fund the production of specific quantities of the feed for sale, engage an investor or enter into arrangements with local feed companies.
Of course, the main objective would be to arrive at efficient but significantly cheaper feed which will make life easier for fish farmers in Ghana, and possibly other countries. One of the main challenges in aquaculture in Ghana and most African countries is that fish farmers spend over 70% of their budgets on feed. The main reason for this is that the two main ingredients, maize and soya meal, are expensive. Maize is the main food source of most Africans, and is also an industrial raw material. Due to these competing demands, it is perennially scarce, which problem is compounded by speculators who buy and sell it in the Sahelian West African region for harder currency. Soya meal is mainly imported from the US and Argentina, and the foreign exchange challenges faced by West African countries affects its price.
The GNAA is entering into a second stage of the alternative feed project, which will involve the deployment of plant and micro organisms in fish feed. We expect to start a three-month trial process from January, involving plants like duckweed, water lettuce, azolla, leucaena and water hyacinth, and microalgae. Results from these trials will also lead to deployment in commercial products.
It must be pointed out that whilst we are committed to achieve a significant reduction in feed costs in order to ensure affordable fish prices and profitable fish farming, other factors must be given the required attention in order to optimize fish farming. Many fish farmers lack the skills for efficient management of fish farms. Issues like water quality and temperature, feed management and biosecurity require some training or awareness. The Association has started the Training Course For Fish Farmers, which is expected to reach all farmers nationwide. We expect all small and micro fish farmers to attend this course, because it can help increase fish output and fish farm profitability substantially.