A feed formulation model for Catla fish to optimize nutrients and cost of ingredients using a Linear Programming approach

Abstract

The primary focus of the study was to formulate a least cost feed mix for Catla fish using the Linear Programming (LP) technique from the standard feed mix, while maintaining different nutrient levels within the recommended range. The ten feed ingredients in the feed mix were rice bran, groundnut oil cake, soybean meal, fish meal, mustard oil cake, meat meal, spirulina, moringa (dry leaf), vitamin-mineral premix, and mustard oil. The five nutrients in the different feed mixtures were protein, crude fat, crude fibre, carbohydrates, and ash. Most nutrients in the feed mixture and the digestible energy for fish were within acceptable ranges. Early fingerlings of Catla were procured and fed different formulated feeds to experimental fishes as replicates in four experimental aquariums. The growth parameters, namely weight and length, were recorded at fortnightly intervals to assess the efficacy of the formulated feed. The results revealed significant increases in growth parameters for the LP feed formulations compared to the standard feed formulation. Type-1 showed the best growth parameters among the LP feed formulations, yielding the largest mean weight and length gain. The study provides a practical approach for developing low-cost and nutritionally balanced feed for Catla fish and can help farmers to achieve higher productivity with efficient utilization of locally available feed ingredients. This approach may also reduce feed costs and support sustainable aquaculture practices for commercialization of fish feed.