Abstract

Afolayan Ganiyu, Babajide A.A and Adebayo S.O

Sundried cashew apple bagasse, grinded into powder was substituted for groundnut cake at five levels ( 0,10,20,30 and 40%) to formulate five experimental diets (1,2,3,4,5), in which A is the control diet. 375 C. gariepinus juveniles were randomly allocated into five groups each with three replicates in a completely randomized design. These were fed at 5% for a period of eighty-four days. Its nutritive and cost effectiveness of the feeds were assessed at the end of the feeding period. Live weight gain of fish increased corresponding with increasing inclusion of cashew apple bagasse. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the mean weight gain of fish fed diets 4 and 1(Control diet). Feed conversion ratio were also observed to be similar among diets 1 to 4, while that of diet 5 decreased significantly from 1 (control). However, both cost/kg of feed produced and cost of feed consumed per weight gain decreased correspondingly as more of the substitution was made, indicating a profitable and worthwhile study. Cost per feed intake and cost/g weight gain were significantly lowered (P>0.05) as Cashew Apple Bagasse meal increases in the diets. In summary, a good economic return is possible if this cashew waste can be processed into fish diet (particularly for fingerling and juvenile production).