Browsing by Author "Kipsirmoi, Elly"

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    An Evaluation Of The Nutritional Composition Of Locally Produced On- Farm Feeds Of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis Niloticus Linnaeus, 1758) In Selected Districts Of Eastern Uganda
    (Busitema University, 2025) Kipsirmoi, Elly
    In Uganda, aquaculture has emerged as a vital sector for food security, employment, and economic growth, with Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) emerging as one of the most commonly farmed fish due to its adaptability and high market value. However, the sustainability and productivity of tilapia farming is significantly influenced by the quality and nutritional composition of fish feeds. The present study therefore aimed to evaluate the nutritional composition of the different locally available fish feed ingredients used in the culture of Nile Tilapia in four districts (Kween, Kapchorwa, Bukwo and Sironko) of Eastern Uganda. The specific objectives were to: i) investigate the common locally produced feed ingredients used by fish farmers in Eastern Uganda and ii) assess the nutritional composition of the commonly locally produced on-farm feed ingredients with focus on protein content. The study administered questionnaires to fish farmers to obtain qualitative data such as type of production system, level of farming and commonly used fish feed ingredients while proximate analysis was carried out on commonly used ingredients to determine their crude protein composition. Results revealed that farmers in the studied districts common adopt earthen ponds to culture Nile tilapia on a small-scale, feeding them mainly on cabbage, wondering jew, maize bran and sweet potato leaves. Proximate analysis revealed that all locally used feed ingredients contained crude protein <30% way below the recommended for culture of all ages of Nile Tilapia, which explains the low body weight gain reported by farmers at harvest. It is recommended that the commonly used feed ingredients at present must be supplemented with alternative feeds rich in proteins such as black soldier fly larvae.