In India, rapid efforts are being made to reduce the cost of fish farming with the help of new technology and increase the income of fish farmers. In this sequence, ICAR-CMFRI has made fish feed using Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae. The institute has transferred its technology to a startup, which will produce it on a large scale. Fish farmers will benefit from its arrival in the market.
Apart from agriculture and animal husbandry in the country, farmers are also being encouraged to fish. For this, many schemes are being run by the central government and various states. Along with this, efforts are being made to make fish farming a low-cost and more profitable business. Now technical support is also being taken in this. ICAR and other institutions associated with it are working in search of discoveries and opportunities in fish farming. In this sequence, ICAR- Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has created an alternative food (fish feed) for fishes apart from the traditional ones. This will help in promoting and making the fisheries sector sustainable.
Dependence on traditional fish fish farmers will be reduced.
This fish feed is created using Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae, which is sustainable. This insect protein-best fish feed will reduce dependence on traditional food for fish. Currently, if we look at the traditional method, only fish are used for fish feed, which often results in overfishing, and fluctuations are seen in the prices of fish. Apart from this, dependence on soy protein in the form of fish feed will also be reduced.
Larva fish farmers will be produced on a large scale.
ICAR-CMFRI has disbursed the technology to Amla Ecoclean to commence commercial production of the fish farmers on a large scale. Dr Grinson George, Director, ICAR-CMFRI, and Joseph Nicklavos, Director, Amala Ecoclean signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Amala Ecoclean is a start-up working on waste management and environmental solutions. Both will continue to collaborate in further research and development to keep the feed compatible.
This fish feed is rich in nutrients.
According to the research team of Marine Biotechnology, Fish Nutrition and Health Division of ICAR-CMFRI, this feed (fish feed) is more effective in maintaining the growth rate of fish species on fish farms. By using BSF larval meal as a protein source, this fish feed provides a sustainable alternative to fish food. Black soldier fly larvae contain many essential nutrients. It contains 40-45 percent protein content, fat, amino acids, and other important nutrients. These larvae are effective as a sustainable protein source due to eating a variety of organic wastes.
The cost of fish production will come down.
After processing, the larvae are converted into defatted meals, which can then be easily assembled into fish feed formulations. This feed acts as a balanced diet promoting both the growth and health of fish in fish farms. BSF larval fish fish farmers will reduce the cost of fish farmers and this technology will prove to be effective in reducing waste and as a sustainable protein source for aqua farming.