An Analysis on the Cost Effectiveness of On Farm Formulated Fish Feeds in Relation to Commercial Fish Feed for Sustainable Aquaculture Production in Kenya; Case of Vihiga County

Globally, Fish feeds account for 40% to 60% of the operating costs in any aquaculture production system. There has been need for the government to promote fish culture to attain sustainable development goals of zero hunger. The study aims at analyzing the cost effectiveness of on farm formulated fish feeds in relation to commercial fish feed for sustainable aquaculture production in Kenya a case of Vihiga County. The objectives of the study are: To examine the profitability level of using on-farm formulated feeds against commercially manufactured feeds in production among farmers in Vihiga County, To assess cost benefit of on farm formulated feeds in aquaculture production compared to commercial feeds and To determine the productivity of on-farm formulated feeds on fish production compared to commercial feeds. Descriptive research design was used. The target population of this study was 250 respondents consisting of fish farmers. Sample size of the study was 100 respondents obtained by use of Nassiuma’s (2008), formula for
determining sample size. Data was collected by questionnaire and was analyzed by use of descriptive statistics through a statistical package for social sciences and excel. Results were presented using pie charts, graphs and tables. The study showed that majority of fish farmers own 3 to 4 pond as indicated by 62.1% of the respondents and 53.7% indicated that on farm feeds are the most economical to use and more profitable in terms of cost. The main conclusion of the study is that to increase on productivity on farm fish feeds supplemented by commercial fish feeds should be used with on farm formulated feeds as the main feeds for cost effectiveness, profitability and increased productivity. The recommendation of the study is that the county and National Government through the department of fisheries should develop an initiative that will ensure that high quality fish feed is provided to farmers as well as training on feed formulation to boost the farm fish feed production