By Simpson Global Media News Desk
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), its FISH4ACP initiative and the Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries Management at the University of Ibadan have strengthened their collaboration to improve Nigeria’s aquaculture value chain, with research examining the use of black soldier fly larvae as a supplement to fishmeal in catfish production.
The collaboration combines farm-based research, monitoring of pond-water quality and engagement with farmers to help translate scientific findings into practical production methods. The work has involved the Eriwe Catfish Cluster, Fedox Farm and the University of Ibadan fish farm, with Eriwe in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, serving as the pilot location for the field trials.
The partners recently presented findings from the research at a farmers’ forum in Eriwe, where participants received practical manuals covering black soldier fly larvae supplementation and water-quality management. The gathering also provided an opportunity for farmers and other aquaculture stakeholders to contribute to discussions about how the recommendations could be applied in commercial fish production. <Cite refs={["turn653443search2","turn653443search15"]}/>
The initiative comes as Nigeria continues to explore ways to strengthen domestic food production, improve the sustainability of fish farming and expand opportunities for farmers and businesses across the aquaculture sector.
Research moves from farms to farmers
The research examined the supplementation of fishmeal with black soldier fly larvae in catfish diets under different culture systems, alongside monitoring of water-quality dynamics.
Fishmeal is a conventional ingredient in many aquaculture feeds because it supplies protein and other nutrients needed for fish growth. However, feed is a major operating consideration for fish farmers, and the cost and availability of suitable ingredients can influence the profitability of a farming enterprise.
Black soldier fly larvae have attracted research interest because they can be processed into an insect-derived ingredient containing protein and other nutrients. Depending on how they are produced and processed, they may offer an alternative ingredient or supplement for animal feeds, including those used in aquaculture.
The Nigerian research is investigating how this ingredient can be used in catfish feeding systems. Its practical importance lies in evaluating a potential feed option under farming conditions, rather than assuming that an alternative ingredient will automatically deliver lower costs or better growth.
The trials considered different culture systems and monitored water quality, recognising that fish production depends on more than the composition of feed alone. Feeding practices, stocking density, water conditions and farm management can all influence the performance of fish and the economics of production. <Cite refs={["turn653443search2","turn653443search16"]}/>
The presentation of the findings to farmers is an important part of the process. Research can have limited practical value if its conclusions remain confined to academic reports or laboratories. Demonstrations, manuals and direct engagement can help farmers understand how recommendations were developed and what they need to consider before adopting them.
The project’s next challenge is to ensure that any recommended practices are sufficiently clear, affordable and reliable for use beyond the initial research farms.
Why feed costs matter to catfish farmers
Feed is one of the central considerations in intensive fish farming. Farmers must provide enough nutrients to support growth while controlling the amount spent on inputs, labour, water management, equipment and other operating requirements.
When feed becomes more expensive, producers may experience pressure on their profit margins. Some may respond by adjusting feeding practices, reducing the number of fish stocked or delaying investment in production. Such decisions can affect output and the ability of a farm to meet market demand.
Alternative feed ingredients could help broaden the options available to farmers, but their value depends on several factors. These include nutritional composition, digestibility, availability, processing costs, storage requirements and the effects of the ingredient on fish health and water quality.
A substitute that appears cheaper per kilogram may not necessarily reduce the total cost of producing market-sized fish. If fish grow more slowly, require more feed or experience health problems, the overall economics could be unfavourable. Conversely, an ingredient that performs well under carefully managed conditions could create opportunities to reduce dependence on conventional inputs.
This is why field trials are important. They help researchers examine how a feeding approach performs under particular conditions and provide evidence that can guide decisions about whether it should be adopted more widely.
The FAO-FISH4ACP and University of Ibadan collaboration is examining black soldier fly larvae supplementation in this broader context. Its findings are intended to support practical decision-making in the catfish value chain, with farmers participating in discussions about the research and its potential applications. <Cite refs={["turn653443search2","turn653443search15"]}/>
What black soldier fly larvae can offer
Black soldier fly larvae are produced by raising the larvae of the black soldier fly under controlled conditions. The insects can convert suitable organic materials into biomass that may be processed for use as an ingredient in animal feed.
Their potential agricultural value has attracted interest because insect production can make use of certain organic by-products, subject to appropriate controls over the materials used and the production process. The resulting larvae can contain protein and fat, although the exact nutritional profile varies according to their diet, growth stage and processing method.
For aquaculture, the key question is whether the processed ingredient supplies nutrients in a form that fish can use effectively and safely.
Catfish diets need to provide balanced nutrition. Protein is important for growth and tissue development, but fish also require energy, essential amino acids, fats, vitamins and minerals. An alternative ingredient must therefore be assessed as part of a complete diet rather than considered in isolation.
Processing is another important factor. Drying, storage and preparation can influence the quality and shelf life of insect-based ingredients. Feed manufacturers and farmers also need reliable standards to reduce the risk of contamination and ensure that batches meet appropriate specifications.
The use of insects in animal feed is not automatically sustainable or economical in every situation. The benefits depend partly on the source of the rearing material, energy and processing requirements, production scale and the distance between suppliers and farms.
The Nigerian trials are relevant because they examine the ingredient in catfish production conditions and connect the research with local farmers. However, the available report does not provide a quantified feed-cost reduction, a definitive replacement percentage or a numerical improvement in fish growth. Those outcomes should not be assumed without the full research results. <Cite refs={["turn653443search2","turn653443search16"]}/>
Water quality remains central to production
The collaboration also examined water-quality dynamics, an important part of successful aquaculture management.
Fish depend on suitable water conditions to remain healthy and grow. Temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, ammonia and other water-quality indicators can influence feeding behaviour, metabolism and survival. Their significance varies with the culture system, stocking density and the conditions of a particular farm.
Uneaten feed and fish waste can contribute to the accumulation of organic matter and nitrogen compounds in production ponds or tanks. If water quality deteriorates, fish may become stressed, eat less or become more vulnerable to disease.
For this reason, changing a feed ingredient should be considered alongside water-management practices. A diet that performs acceptably in one system may require different management in another, particularly where water exchange, aeration and stocking density differ.
Monitoring helps farmers identify changes before they develop into serious problems. Practical records can include feeding quantities, fish behaviour, water conditions, mortality and growth measurements. These observations can help producers determine whether a change in feeding practice is producing the expected results.
The research’s attention to both feeding and water quality recognises that aquaculture performance is influenced by connected factors. Farmers need information that helps them understand not only what they feed their fish but also how the production environment responds to their management decisions. <Cite refs={["turn653443search2","turn653443search15"]}/>
Eriwe selected as a pilot location
Eriwe, in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, was selected as the pilot site because of its catfish-farming activity, organised farmer community and strategic relevance to the local aquaculture industry.
The presence of a farmer cluster offers opportunities for researchers to engage with multiple producers, discuss their experiences and examine whether research findings can be translated into everyday farm practices.
The participation of Fedox Farm and the University of Ibadan fish farm also provided settings for the farm-based research. The collaboration connected academic work with production environments and created a platform for discussing the findings with people involved in the value chain.
At the farmers’ forum, participants were presented with practical manuals on black soldier fly larvae supplementation and water-quality dynamics. The recommendations were discussed and validated with contributions from farmers and other stakeholders. <Cite refs={["turn653443search2"]}/>
This kind of engagement can help researchers identify questions that matter to producers. Farmers may need guidance on ingredient sourcing, feed preparation, storage, dosage, feeding frequency and the cost of switching from existing practices.
They may also need to know what measurements to record and how to recognise when a new method is not producing the expected outcome.
For research to support lasting change, recommendations must account for these operational realities. A technique that requires equipment, materials or expertise unavailable to most small farms may need additional adaptation before it can be widely used.
The Eriwe pilot provides a basis for discussing those issues, although broader adoption would require evidence from additional farms and production conditions.
The role of FAO and FISH4ACP
The Food and Agriculture Organization is a United Nations agency working on food security, agriculture, fisheries and related areas. Its work includes supporting countries and communities seeking to improve the sustainability and performance of food production systems.
FISH4ACP is an initiative focused on developing sustainable fisheries and aquaculture value chains across countries in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific. Its approach connects production with wider value-chain considerations, including economic performance, social benefits and environmental sustainability.
The collaboration with the University of Ibadan forms part of this broader effort to strengthen aquaculture through research, practical learning and engagement with stakeholders. <Cite refs={["turn653443search2","turn653443search15"]}/>
Value-chain development involves more than increasing the volume of fish produced. It can include improving access to quality inputs, strengthening farming practices, reducing losses, supporting processing and distribution, and helping producers connect with markets.
For fish farmers, improvements at one stage can be undermined by weaknesses elsewhere. Better feed may not deliver its full potential if water management is poor. Higher production may not increase earnings if transport costs are high or farmers lack access to reliable buyers. Strong market demand may not translate into consistent supply if farms cannot obtain suitable inputs.
A coordinated approach can help identify these relationships and establish where interventions are likely to make the greatest difference.
The University of Ibadan contributes research expertise and farm-based facilities, while the wider initiative provides a framework for connecting research with aquaculture development. Farmers, meanwhile, contribute practical knowledge about the constraints they encounter and the conditions under which new methods may be adopted.
The effectiveness of the partnership will ultimately depend on whether its findings produce measurable benefits for producers and contribute to a more resilient aquaculture sector.
University research and farmer participation
Universities can support agricultural development by testing production methods, evaluating alternative inputs and training future professionals. However, successful agricultural innovation requires an exchange between researchers and the people who will use the results.
The University of Ibadan’s Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries Management has a role in studying fish production and management. The partnership with FAO and FISH4ACP provides a route for connecting that research with farming communities and sector stakeholders.
The university has previously described its collaboration with FAO as a long-standing partnership involving research on farms, engagement with students and researchers, and work intended to support local and commercial fish farmers. <Cite refs={["turn653443search15"]}/>
Farmers’ participation matters because they operate within practical constraints that can influence whether a new method is adopted. These may include the price and availability of ingredients, access to credit, labour requirements, equipment, electricity and the time needed to learn a new technique.
A recommendation must be technically sound, but it must also be usable. Farmers need to understand what to do, how to do it, what the method costs and how they can determine whether it is working.
Practical manuals can help standardise instructions and make research findings easier to consult after a workshop. They are most useful when they clearly explain the recommended procedure, the conditions under which it was tested, any limitations and the signs that farmers should monitor.
Further demonstrations and follow-up visits could help establish whether participants are able to apply the guidance and whether additional training is necessary. The available announcement confirms the workshop and manual distribution but does not establish how many farmers subsequently adopted the practices.
Implications for Nigeria’s food supply
Aquaculture can contribute to food availability by supplying fish for households, markets, restaurants and food businesses. It can also support employment across production, feed supply, equipment, processing, transport and retail.
Improving the productivity and reliability of fish farms could strengthen this contribution, particularly where farmers are able to produce consistently and sell at prices that support both producers and consumers.
However, higher production alone does not guarantee that fish will become more affordable. The final price can be influenced by feed costs, transport, storage, processing, market conditions and other expenses along the supply chain.
Research into alternative feed ingredients is therefore one component of a broader effort to improve the economics of aquaculture. If a feeding method proves reliable and commercially viable, it could expand the options available to farmers and feed producers.
The potential benefits must be established through evidence. Relevant measures include the cost of feed per unit of fish produced, growth rates, survival, time to market size, water-quality outcomes and the overall return to the farmer.
Results should also be examined under different conditions. Farms vary in their facilities, water sources, management practices and access to inputs. A method that works well in a pilot setting may need adjustment before it can be recommended for wider use.
For consumers, the long-term objective is a dependable supply of safe, nutritious fish. For producers, it is the ability to raise fish efficiently, manage risks and earn sustainable returns.
The FAO-FISH4ACP and University of Ibadan initiative is working within that broader context by examining feeding practices and water management while involving farmers in the discussion of research findings. <Cite refs={["turn653443search2","turn653443search15"]}/>
Quality control and responsible adoption
Before black soldier fly larvae can become a dependable feed ingredient for wider use, farmers and suppliers need access to consistent, safe and appropriately processed products.
The material used to rear larvae matters because unsuitable substrates can introduce contaminants or create inconsistencies in the final ingredient. Processing and storage also need to be managed to maintain quality and reduce the risk of spoilage.
Feed formulation requires care as well. A complete diet must meet the nutritional needs of the fish at the relevant stage of growth. Simply replacing a proportion of one ingredient with another, without accounting for nutrient composition and digestibility, may produce an unbalanced feed.
Farmers considering an alternative feed should therefore follow evidence-based recommendations and avoid assuming that a method demonstrated in one trial can be applied in every setting without adjustment.
Reliable suppliers, clear product specifications and appropriate quality-control practices can help reduce these risks. Where commercial adoption is being considered, further trials may be necessary to assess performance under local conditions and determine whether the economics remain favourable at larger scale.
The same principles apply to water management. Producers need practical guidance suited to their facilities and access to testing or monitoring methods that can help them detect changes in water conditions.
The collaboration’s research focus on feed supplementation and water-quality dynamics provides a starting point for these discussions. The wider value of the work will depend on the clarity of the recommendations and the evidence supporting them.
What comes next?
The recent farmers’ forum marks an important step in communicating the research findings and discussing how they may be applied in practice. The next priorities for the wider aquaculture sector include continued knowledge-sharing, careful evaluation of the methods and determining whether they can be adopted economically by farmers.
Further assessment could help establish the conditions under which black soldier fly larvae supplementation performs best, the appropriate inclusion levels in catfish diets and the extent to which the ingredient can affect total production costs.
Additional information on fish growth, survival, feed conversion, ingredient costs and water quality would help farmers compare the approach with their current practices. Such data would also be useful to feed manufacturers and other businesses considering whether to develop insect-based feed products.
The initiative could also benefit from documenting the experiences of farmers who test the recommendations, including the challenges they encounter and the changes they make to their management practices.
The available reporting does not provide a final quantified assessment of cost savings or a nationwide rollout plan. Any claims about large-scale adoption or guaranteed increases in productivity would therefore be premature.
For now, the collaboration demonstrates how research institutions, international development initiatives and farming communities can work together to examine practical solutions to agricultural challenges.
A practical path towards stronger aquaculture
Nigeria’s catfish industry has opportunities to benefit from improved feed options, better farm management and closer links between research and commercial production. Realising those opportunities will require evidence, quality control, accessible training and careful attention to the economics of farming.
The FAO, FISH4ACP and University of Ibadan collaboration has brought these issues together through farm-based research on black soldier fly larvae supplementation and water-quality monitoring. Its engagement with farmers in Eriwe provides a platform for discussing the findings and making the information more accessible to people who may use it.
The initiative’s long-term impact will be judged not simply by the completion of research activities or the distribution of manuals, but by whether the resulting knowledge helps farmers make better decisions and sustain productive businesses.
If subsequent evaluation confirms that the methods are safe, effective and economically viable, they could add to the range of options available to Nigerian catfish producers. If the evidence identifies limitations, those findings would also be valuable by helping farmers avoid costly or unsuitable changes.
For the wider food system, the objective is to build an aquaculture sector that can supply fish reliably while supporting livelihoods and managing environmental risks.
The partnership represents a step towards that goal. Continued testing, transparent reporting of results and sustained collaboration with farmers will be essential to determine how far the research can contribute to more efficient and sustainable catfish production in Nigeria.
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