COST CONTAINMENT OPTIONS IN SEMI-INTENSIVE TILAPIA CULTURE: EVALUATION OF ALTERNATE DAY FEEDING STRATEGY

Eddie Boy Jimenez, Remedios B. Bolivar Freshwater Aquaculture Center Central Luzon State University Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija PHILIPINES and Christopher L. Brown Marine Biology Program Florida International University 3000 NE 151 St. ACI 378, North Miami, Florida, USA

Aquaculture Collaborative Research Support Program Funding Agency: US Agency for International Development (USAID)

Intensification of Culture Resulted to feed dependency Resulted to feed dependency 60-70% of production costs is due to feed cost 60-70% of production costs is due to feed cost

63%

Conceptual Framework Feeding Strategies I. Delayed feeding onset II. Sub-satiation feeding III. Two-stage feed reduction strategy (delayed feeding onset + sub-satiation feeding) IV. Alternate day feeding strategy

I.Delayed Feeding Onset start of feeding 45 days and 75 days after stocking of tilapia fingerlings

Mean weight (g) of Nile tilapia in ponds at two feeding onsets

On-farm mean growth performance of Nile tilapia in the two feeding onsets Performance Onset of feeding 45 days 75 days Mean final weight (g) ± ± 20.4 Mean daily weight gain (g day -1 ) 1.10 ± ± 0.36 Extrapolated gross yield (kg ha -1 ) 5,140 ± 554 4,926 ± 524 Feed conversion efficiency 1.61 ± ± 0.18 Survival (%) 85 ± ± 5.5 Quantity of feeds (kg ha -1 ) 8,299 ± 974 6,068 ± 606

Partial budget analysis - I INCOME 45 days 45 days 75 days US$ 5, US$ 4, COSTS Fingerlings Fingerlings Feeds Feeds1, , Fertilizers Fertilizers Diesel & oil Diesel & oil Electricity Electricity Labor Labor PROFIT US$ 2, US$ 2,936.70

II.Sub-satiation Feeding Strategy Tilapia were fed at 100% satiation and 67% satiation levels starting at 45 day onset

Mean weight of Nile tilapia in ponds at two satiation levels

On-farm mean growth performance of Nile tilapia at two satiation levels Performance Satiation levels 100%67% Mean final weight (g) ± ±26 Mean daily weight gain (g day -1 ) 1.24± ±0.22 Extrapolated gross yield (kg ha -1 ) 3,136±1,257 3,575±1,257 Feed conversion efficiency 2.39± ±1.10 Survival (%) 57±22 65±20 Quantity of feeds (kg ha -1 ) 9,396±2,0987,554±1754

Partial budget analysis - II INCOME 100% satiation, 100% satiation, 45 day onset 67% satiation, 45 day onset US$ 3, US$ 3, COSTS Fingerlings Fingerlings Feeds Feeds2, , Diesel & oil Diesel & oil Fertilizers Fertilizers Electricity Electricity Labor Labor PROFIT US$ US$ 1,025.73

III. Two-stage Feed Reduction Strategy To evaluate possible additive effects of two methods of cost reduction – delayed onset of feeding (75 days feeding onset) and feeding at sub-satiation level in the culture of Nile tilapia. To evaluate possible additive effects of two methods of cost reduction – delayed onset of feeding (75 days feeding onset) and feeding at sub-satiation level in the culture of Nile tilapia.

Mean weight of tilapia in the two-stage feed reduction strategy

On-farm mean growth performance of Nile tilapia in the two feeding onsets Performance 75 days feeding 100% satiation level 67% satiation level Mean final weight (g) ± ± 21.6 Mean daily weight gain (g day -1 ) 0.69 ± ± 0.14 Extrapolated gross yield (kg ha -1 ) 3,196 ± 1,495 2,815 ± 1,098 Feed conversion efficiency 3.58 ± ± 1.79 Survival (%) 79.7 ± ± 16 Quantity of feeds (kg ha -1 ) 10,416 ± 3,642 7,094 ± 2,554

Partial budget analysis - III INCOME 100% satiation, 100% satiation, 75 days onset 67% satiation, 75 days onset US$ 2, US$ 2, COSTS Fingerlings Fingerlings Feeds Feeds2, , Diesel & oil Diesel & oil Fertilizers Fertilizers Electricity Electricity Labor Labor PROFIT -(US$ ) -(US$ )

IV. Alternate Day Feeding Strategy To determine the effect of alternate day feeding on the grow-out efficiency and net profit in semi-intensive tilapia culture. To determine the effect of alternate day feeding on the grow-out efficiency and net profit in semi-intensive tilapia culture. SunMonTueWedThuFriSat

Materials and Methods Nine (9) participating farms Nine (9) participating farms Two ponds in each farm were made available for the study Two ponds in each farm were made available for the study Ponds were fertilized with inorganic fertilizers at the rates of 28 kg N and 5.6 kg P ha -1 wk -1 Ponds were fertilized with inorganic fertilizers at the rates of 28 kg N and 5.6 kg P ha -1 wk -1

Materials and Methods Stocking of ponds Stocking of ponds Sex-reversed Nile tilapia Sex-reversed Nile tilapia Stocking rate : 4 fish m -2 Stocking rate : 4 fish m -2

Materials and Methods Feeds & feeding Feeds & feeding Commercial feeds Commercial feeds Feeding guide Feeding guide Duration of Culture Duration of Culture 120 days 120 days Fish sampling and water quality monitoring Fish sampling and water quality monitoring Every 2 weeks Every 2 weeks

Growth trend of Nile tilapia in the daily and alternate day feeding strategies

On-farm mean growth performance of Nile tilapia in the two feeding frequencies Performance Frequency of feeding Daily Alternate day Mean final weight (g) ± ± 72 Mean daily weight gain (g day -1 ) 1.39 ± ± 0.60 Extrapolated gross yield (kg ha -1 ) 2,994 ± 808 2,807 ± 875 Feed conversion efficiency 2.20 ± ± 0.34 Survival (%) 55.3 ± ± 26 Quantity of feeds (kg ha -1 ) 6,331 ± 1,088 2,689 ± 601

Partial budget analysis - IV INCOMEDaily Alternate Day US$ 2, US$ 2, COSTS Fingerlings Fingerlings Feeds Feeds2, Diesel & oil Diesel & oil Fertilizers Fertilizers Electricity Electricity Labor Labor PROFIT -(US$ ) -(US$ ) US$

Conclusions Alternate day feeding strategy can provide another cost containment feeding option for tilapia farmers. Alternate day feeding strategy can provide another cost containment feeding option for tilapia farmers. A cost saving of more than 50% was realized. The remarkable saving on feed cost was not accompanied by any statistically significant reduction in fish yield. A cost saving of more than 50% was realized. The remarkable saving on feed cost was not accompanied by any statistically significant reduction in fish yield.

Conclusions Aside from the feed cost saving, the alternate day feeding strategy appears cost- effective because of the substantial labor cost that can also be saved. The farm worker can do other farm jobs as necessary. Aside from the feed cost saving, the alternate day feeding strategy appears cost- effective because of the substantial labor cost that can also be saved. The farm worker can do other farm jobs as necessary. It is environmentally desirable because of the reduced organic loading of the pond system. It is environmentally desirable because of the reduced organic loading of the pond system.

Conclusions It is easily adoptable because the technique does not require any complicated procedure or use of other farm inputs. It is easily adoptable because the technique does not require any complicated procedure or use of other farm inputs.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT Farmer-collaborators Farmer-collaborators Project staff Project staff

Thank you