Evaluating feeding strategies to improve growth and profitability in carp fattening
Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCUAbstract
Rising feed costs and increasing climate variability, especially in drought-prone areas, threaten the sustainability of carp fattening practices in Bangladesh. This study aimed to evaluate cost-effective and climate-adaptive feeding strategies for sustainable aquaculture production. A six-month on-farm trial was conducted using three treatments: T1 (100% commercial feed), T2 (70% commercial + 30% homemade feed), and T3 (T2 with one-day-per-week feeding restriction). Standard water quality parameters were monitored throughout the trial to ensure optimal culture conditions. While growth performance and yield did not differ significantly among treatments, T3 achieved the most efficient feed conversion ratio (FCR) and significantly reduced feed cost by 15.57% compared to T1. T3 also recorded the highest profit margin 19.49% greater than T2 and 28.89% higher than T1, without compromising fish health or water quality. These findings highlight that partial replacement of commercial feed with homemade feed, coupled with mild feeding restriction, is an economically viable and environmentally sound strategy. This approach is especially suitable for smallholder farmers in climate-vulnerable regions, offering a pathway to reduce production costs and enhance resilience. Policymakers and extension services are encouraged to promote such hybrid feeding strategies to support sustainable aquaculture and improve farmer livelihoods.
Journal
Aquaculture and Fisheries
Publication Name
Aquaculture and Fisheries
Volume
11
ISBN/ISSN
2468-550X
Edition
N/A
Issue
2
Pages Count
10
Location
N/A
Publisher
Elsevier
Publisher Url
N/A
Publisher Location
N/A
Publish Date
N/A
Url
N/A
Date
N/A
EISSN
N/A
DOI
10.1016/j.aaf.2025.09.002