Abstract
Fish feed represents between 50% and 70% of intensive aquaculture production costs. In this context, the present study aimed to evaluate the economic viability of the production of Nile tilapia under a diet with cassava residues in it. To evaluate the economic efficiency in relation to the inclusion of residues in the tilapia feed, the approximate cost of feed per kilogram of live weight (CMR) gained during the experimental period was determined, and later the cash flow of the production was raised for analysis of indicators: NPV (Net Present Value), CBI (Cost Benefit Rate), and IRR (Internal Rate of Return) submitted to different discount rates from existing financing sources in the region. It was found that tilapia under the diet with the inclusion of tapioca sweep in the diet, showed greater economic efficiency, and consequently higher NPV (R $ 4,583.33), IRR (15%) and CBR (1.17). In this sense, the viability analysis showed that cassava residues in diets of tilapia diets, indicate to be a viable strategy to better develop aquaculture production, in a more sustainable way, enhancing the technical and economic viability and minimizing the environmental impacts.
Highlights
Aquaculture is an essential agricultural practice for food security worldwide (FAO, 2016; Fore et al, 2018) and the Nile tilapia is one of the most popular species (Cai et al, 2018)
It is worth noting that the average feed cost per kilogram of live weight with tapioca dusting flour residue is lower than the cost of feed with cassava husk, demonstrating a better economic/zootechnical balance, since this alternative significantly achieves the ratio of high quality products at the lowest possible cost
To point out that the economic efficiency index generated by the treatment with tapioca dusting flour enables greater economic efficiency than the others
Summary
Aquaculture is an essential agricultural practice for food security worldwide (FAO, 2016; Fore et al, 2018) and the Nile tilapia is one of the most popular species (Cai et al, 2018). Aquaculture is a fast-growing sector with a world fish production of 80 MT in 2016, which represents 88% of the world fish production (FAO, 2018). In this sector, the creation of tilapia is included, as the only aquaculture species with a consolidated improvement program in the country, which has contributed to the sharp increase in its production compared to other fish species (Silva et al, 2020). Nile tilapia (Orechromis niloticus) was the most widely cultivated aquaculture species in Brazil in 2018, corresponding to 55.4% (400.3 thousand tons) of the total national fish production. If practiced in a sustainable way, it can promote socioeconomic development by reducing inequalities and distributing in an equitable manner, income and assets (Costa-Pierce et al, 2010), and in areas with natural resources abundant, can be a strategy for low-income communities to reconcile socioeconomic improvement and environmental conservation (Fonseca et al, 2017)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
