Work Package 1: Review of existing knowledge

Leader: Dr. A. Hughes (Scottish Association for Marine Science)

So far aqua-feed formulation in India and Africa has been based on ingredient sources to promote growth rate and maximise the production of protein. Recently, increasing importance has been given to enhancing the n-3 LC-PUFA profile including EPA and DHA in freshwater fish by supplementing Fish Oil (FO) or Fish Meal (FM) in feed. However, FO and FM are finite resources, and their inclusion in aqua-feeds is declining due to restricted supply and increased cost compared to plants and other alternatives. The primary objective of WP1 is therefore to ensure the project is fully aware of potential ingredients and utilises all available information already existing in the scientific literature on the nutritional profiles of indigenous materials including macrophytes, microphytes and microbes with particular reference to how this may affect their potential as fish feed ingredients. Therefore, the specific aims of WP1 are, firstly, to collect and review all available literature on selected novel indigenous ingredients and, secondly, to assess their potential to be utilised as feed ingredients in terms of: nutritional profile, ability to produce significant quantities (scale-ability) and community socio-economic acceptance both publicly and within the production chain.

Work Package 2: Sourcing, analysis and assessment of novel indigenous ingredients

Leader: Prof. R. Roy (Goa University)

The primary objective of WP2 is to identify which of the novel ingredients are actually available locally for further studies and along with the information from WP1, to supplement and enhance the available literature information on a selected range of the most appropriate ingredients (macrophytes, microphytes and microbes) identified as having both nutrient profiles with potential for increasing EPA and/or DHA levels in farmed carp and tilapia, and being available locally. This will require a focus on ingredients containing significant levels of both lipid and EPA and/or DHA themselves or of their precursor short-chain n-3 fatty acids, especially Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA; 18:3), which could stimulate or facilitate endogenous production of EPA and DHA in the fish. To achieve this the WP is divided into two distinct phases with the first focusing on surveying which potential ingredients are actually available locally, and the second will look at additional detailed biochemical analyses of the final selected ingredients that have the potential to increase EPA and DHA (based on WP1).

Work Package 3: Dietary trials in target fish species

Leader: Prof. R. Chakrabarti (University of Delhi)

Large-scale production of selected ingredients and formulation of feeds are two important components of sustainable aquaculture development. WP3 is therefore the key WP of the project with the primary aim of establishing techniques for production of ingredients, formulation and manufacture of feed, and evaluation of performance and composition of fish fed with the novel feeds. Local infrastructure capacity will be assessed for species selected from the studies in WP1 and WP2 then enhanced feeds will be formulated in consultation with all Investigators sourcing the ingredients from India, Africa and UK. Appropriate volumes will subsequently be produced to perform suitable fish feeding trials, then the biochemical and nutritional compositions of fish grown on novel ingredients will be assessed for the potential to enhance EPA and DHA production and as a result, impart beneficial health effects for local consumers.

Work Package 4: Assessing the social acceptability and economic viability of non–conventional ingredients as components of fish feeds and potential benefits for local populations

Leader: Dr. C. Brugere (Soulfish Consultancy)

The aims of WP4 are to (i) optimise novel dietary formulations in terms of economic and nutritional performance, (ii) to assess potential for their commercialization of novel ingredients through an assessment of existing livestock feed value-chains (focusing on feed-lot sectors including poultry) and (iii) to determine the impacts that the use of novel indigenous ingredients could have on local populations including social and wealth benefits for farmers, other stakeholders and consumers. This includes cost-benefit analyses of the new compared to existing feed ingredients as utilized in different smallholder production systems (less and more intensive), as well as assessing attitudes to the use of and willingness to implement production of unusual feed ingredients.

Work Package 5: Training and Knowledge Exchange

Leader: W. Leschen (University of Stirling)

A strong extension service that can provide services to multiple dimensions/stakeholders is a major requirement of the project. Extension services must provide information about technologies, costs and market, and policies associated with the outcome of WP1-4, including the resulting health implications for omega-3. This may include information on feed ingredients and their production, as well as any implications for water quality, husbandry and quality assessment resulting from the use of the non-conventional feed ingredients. This will require organisation of stakeholders including farmers for exchange of information, and provide problem-solving consultancy. To achieve this induction and sensitization meetings will be conducted for target communities with dissemination of knowledge in the form of: guidelines, manuals, brochures and fact sheets. Seminars and workshops will also be conducted to share information between researchers, extension workers, farmers and policy makers. They will be informed about the role of water quality for the sustainable production of important fish feed ingredients, and the appropriate harvesting time, handling processes and storage of feed ingredients to maximize the nutritional values without contamination and nutritional degradation.