CHAPTER 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction

As the global population continues to grow, so to does the world’s need for food,

especially for sources of high quality protein (Chamberlain, 1993). With the world population

currently over 7 billion, and forecasts exceeding 8.5 billion by the year 2030, the consumption of

seafood at that time is predicted to reach between 150-160 million tonnes. However, because of

the decline in wild fish catches in a large part due to the unsustainability of industrialized fishing,

aquaculture will be called upon to fill this gap (Food and Agriculture Organizations of the United

Nations, 2005).

According to Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations (2017) in 2015,

Meeting the future demand for food from aquaculture will largely depend on the availability of

quality feeds at affordable prices in the requisite quantities. Aqua feed accounts for about 50-80

percent of aquaculture production cost and therefore its use has to be carefully considered and

managed. During the period 1995-2015, production from feed-dependent aquaculture increased

over fourfold from 12.2 to 50.7 million tonnes, largely through intensification of production

methods. The use of aquatic species/species groups such as tilapias, carps, shrimp and salmonids

with established aquaculture technologies provided firm market opportunities for increasing

production and driving production efficiency.

Tilapias are naturally accustomed to eating plant ingredients, and are typically considered

strict herbivores once they reach maturity (Keenleyside, 2009). A substantial amount of research

is already underway, testing potential protein sources that can replace fish meal in tilapia diets.
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These plant protein sources include soybeans, sunflower, rapeseed, wheat bran, corn gluten meal,

cassava leaf meal, barley and alfalfa (Abelghany, 2004). While many plant protein sources have

the potential for use in tilapia diets, there are a number of problems associated with the inclusion

of these ingredients.

Background of the study

According to The World Fish Center (2016) Tilapia first gained popularity as an easily

farmed fish that could supply cheap but high-quality animal protein in developing countries.

Demand has also began to rise in major export markets From 2000 to 2015, tilapia aqua-culture

grew at a compounded rate of 8.1% annually. In the same period, demand for tilapia feed grew

by 11.2% annually, reflecting increasingly intensified tilapia production.

As stated on the article of Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (2017) Feed is the

major operational cost for most fish farms, accounting for 50-70% of the variable cost depending

on farming intensity. The rising cost of commercial tilapia feed is therefore inducing some

farmers to opt for alternative feeds. Some rotate commercial feed with kitchen and restaurant

waste or chicken byproducts. Others replace tilapia feed with cheaper chicken or duck feed. Still

others have begun formulating farm-made tilapia feed pellets. In several countries, commercial

feed is simply beyond the reach of most marginal and landless farmers, limiting their ability to

intensify aquaculture production. However, if fish feed ingredients are locally available, and

labor can be drawn from the household at low opportunity cost, production costs can be reduced

and profit margins can be increased.

This study, Rice bran and moringa mixture as a food source of tilapia aims to produce

alternative food sources of tilapia. The study wants to determine the effectiveness of Rice bran
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and moringa as an alternative food source of fish furthermore the researchers want to create a

tilapia fish feed which is low-cost and nutritive.

Statement of the Problem

The study titled, Rice Bran and Moringa Mixture as an Alternative Food Source of

Tilapia aim to create a low-cost fish feeds.

Specifically, the study sought to answer the following questions:

1. How does the rice bran and moringa mixture can be food source of tilapia?

2. What is the difference of the commercial fish feed from the mixture of rice bran and moringa

in terms of:

a. Nutrients

b. Price

c. Availability

3. Is there a significant effect in the growth of Tilapia using the rice bran and moringa mixture

and commercial feeds?

4. What is the acceptability of rice bran and moringa as food source of Tilapia

5. Based on the gathered data, what will be the output of the study?

Hypotheses

The following hypotheses tested at 0.05 level of confidence;

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H01: There is a significant difference in the growth of tilapia using commercial feeds

H1: There is no significant difference in the growth of tilapia using commercial feeds

H02: There is a significant difference in the growth of tilapia using moringa and rice bran as an

alternative source of fish feed

H2: There is no significant difference in the growth of tilapia using moringa and rice bran as an

alternative source of fish feed

H03: There is a significant difference in the price of commercial fish feed and rice bran and

moringa mixture

H3 There is no significant difference in the price of commercial fish feed and rice bran and

moringa mixture

Conceptual Paradigm
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moringa and rice bran mixture as an alternative

food source of tilapia
Input

observed the difference of using commercial fish

feeds and an alternative food source of tilapia
Process using moringa and rice bran mixture

to make an alternative food source of tilapia

using rice bran and moringa mixture
Output

Figure 1.1. This figure shows the Input-Process-Output of the study

The input of the study was the moringa and rice bran mixture as an alternative food

source of tilapia. The process made by the researchers was the observed the difference of using

commercial fish feeds and an alternative food source of tilapia using moringa and rice bran

mixture. The output will be the alternative food source of tilapia using rice bran and moringa

mixture.

Scope and limitation

The study investigated the effectiveness of Rice bran and moringa as an alternative food

source of tilapia. The tilapia were cared in Brgy. Sampaloc II, Sariaya, Quezon and was observed

and fed daily the research lasted for eight months.

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The researchers limited the study to two (2) different set ups namely, setup A and setup

B. and the fish feed used on set up A is commercial fish feed while in set up B the fish feed used

is the rice bran and moringa mixture. The researchers weighted the tilapia in order to measure the

weight of tilapia before and after feeding the the rice bran and moringa mixture. The researchers

determined the effect of the rice bran and moringa to the tilapia. The study lasted for eight

months from August to March 2019

Significance of the study

This study gives the significance of rice bran and moringa as an alternative food source

of tilapia. Since the cost of commercial tilapia feed is rising, the researchers aims to investigate

the effectiveness of rice bran and moringa leaves as food source of Tilapia. The study would be

beneficial to the following:

For the aquaculturist specially the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources

(BFAR), to conduct a seminar about the significance of rice and moringa mixture as a fish feed

as a substitute to a commercial fish feeds.

For the fishermen, to help them to know that the rice bran and moringa can ba low-cost
food source of tilapia and make their income higher by using low-cost fish feeds.

For the local government, To conduct a seminar to the people to be educated about the

importance of rice bran and moringa

For the community, to help them to know that rice bran and moringa can be a food

source of fish. They can give importance to rice bran and moringa for the different benefits they

can get.
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For the future researchers, to help them know that the concepts presented may be used

in conducting new researches or in examining its validity. This study may also caught the interest

in conducting studies that may help to produce alternative fish feeds

Definition of Terms

To enlighten the readers of this research, the researchers provided a conceptual definition

for the following terminologies:

Moringa is a fast-growing, drought-resistant tree, native to the southern foothills of the

Western Ghatsin southwestern India, and widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical areas

where its young seed pods and leaves are used as vegetables, and many parts of the tree are used

in traditional herbal medicine. (Leone, 2015)

Rice bran is a byproduct of rice milling process (the conversion of brown rice to white

rice), and it contains various antioxidants that impart beneficial effects on humans and fish

(Barron, 2010)

Tilapia is the common name for nearly a hundred species of cichlid fish from the

tilapiine cichlid tribe. Tilapia are mainly freshwater fish inhabiting shallow streams, ponds,

rivers and lakes and less commonly found living in brackish water. (Department of

Agriculture,2016)

Fish feed are an important part of modern commercial aquaculture, providing the

balanced nutrition needed by farmed fish. Providing the balanced nutrition needed by re an

important part of modern commercial aquaculture, providing the balanced nutrition needed by

farmed fish. (FAO,2016)