Eunice Ayo-Aderele
WorldFish through its Development and Scaling of Sustainable Feeds for Resilient Aquatic Food Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa (FASA) project has awarded two PhD scholarships to young researchers from Nigeria and Zambia to study at Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU). Arnold Irabor (Nigeria) will focus on catfish and Nigerian aquaculture, with possible nutraceutical development to increase sustainable fish production; while Patience Chungu (Zambia) is working on the raw materials and tilapia strains that will help to improve Zambian aquaculture.
The two researchers aim to develop low-cost, nutritious fish feeds by optimizing locally available resources, reducing dependence on expensive imports, and enhancing profitability for small-scale farmers. Their work will also strengthen WorldFish research capacity, introduce innovative methodologies, and promote knowledge transfer across Sub-Saharan Africa.
The main thing that truncates the Nigerian aquaculture sector is the high cost of fish feed due to too much reliance on imported fish feeds or imported fish feed ingredients such as fish oil. I’m in SLU to understand how to effectively utilize locally-sourced ingredients; but one thing is to get the knowledge and another thing is to deploy the knowledge through engaging with farmers, feed sellers, feed millers and all the key players at pre- and post-production stage of aquaculture, especially in the area of improving the raw materials for fish feed using an improved locally-available ingredients—as opposed to conventional ingredients. Ultimately, everyone can benefit from that knowledge,” said Arnold.
Patience Chungu has previously worked as a fish-breeding and platform manager at WorldFish in Zambia. Recognizing the importance of research, she is pursuing a PhD to contribute to sustainable aquaculture solutions in her country.
"If I successfully formulate an alternative feed that meets fish nutritional needs, FASA will have achieved one of its major objectives;” adding, “My research will equip me with world-class knowledge and technology, strengthening WorldFish feed and nutrition team,” said Patience.
Patience sees her PhD journey as an opportunity to inspire African women and young girls in science. She emphasizes that her work not only advances sustainable aquaculture but also encourages more women to pursue higher education and leadership roles in research and development.
"This opportunity is not just for me, its for all women aspiring to excel in the sciences," she said.
The Global Impact of Sustainable Aquafeeds
Globally, aquatic food systems provide nutrition for more than 3.3 billion people and livelihoods for 600 million, primarily in small-scale systems. Fish is a crucial protein source, particularly in regions facing malnutrition. However, fish feed, which represents 70% of production cost, significantly impacts aquaculture production by acting as a major barrier to profitability. This can limit the growth of fish farms, especially for small-scale producers, leading to reduced output and potentially forcing some farmers out of business.
WorldFish, through its Development and Scaling of Sustainable Feeds for Resilient Aquatic Food Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa (FASA) project, seeks to develop low-cost, nutritious fish feeds using novel ingredients. The project, implemented in Nigeria, Zambia, and Kenya, with research support from Malaysia and Sweden, aims to benefit 5,000 smallholder fish farmers by increasing income, enhancing food security, and reducing waste.
The FASA initiative, funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD), directly tackles food security and poverty by boosting farmer incomes, improving nutritional outcomes, and minimizing environmental impact through reduced waste and pollution. FASA supports the development of local feed industries, ensuring farmers have access to affordable, high-quality feed and markets for their fish products.
Among other goals, FASA project aims to enhance economic resilience for women and marginalized communities through training and capacity-building initiatives.
Catalyst for Youth Engagement
WorldFish’s PhD scholarships for the two African students serve as a powerful catalyst for youth engagement in research by showcasing the potential of science and innovation in transforming aquaculture and food systems.
These scholarships provide valuable mentorship, advanced research opportunities, and global exposure, all of which are capable of inspiring other young Africans to pursue careers in sustainable fisheries, food security, and environmental conservation. By investing in local talent, WorldFish fosters the next generation of researchers and leaders who will drive Africa’s blue economy forward.