Ghana’s Fish Feed Industry
The aquaculture industry has experienced significant growth globally due to increased fish production and increased demand for fish products. The government-/World Bank-funded fisheries programs through Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development have seen significant growth in Ghana’s aquaculture industry. In 2016, the country’s aquaculture production increased from 32,512 MT/y to 52,470.49 Mt/y. This represents 11.3% of the nation’s harvest. In the next three to five years, aquaculture production will reach 72,000 Tons. This is 15% of national fish production.
Fish feed is an essential component of any fish-farming operation because it accounts for between 40% and 50% of total variable production costs.
Ghana’s aquaculture industry faces many challenges. There is a shortage of farm-made feeds that are efficient and affordable for all stages of fish growing. Most feed vendors sell is below the standard because of increasing demand for fish food. Most commercial fish feeds for tilapia contain between 24% and 28% crude protein. However, due to the high price of fish meal, peasant farmers resort to feeds that have lower protein levels, such as maize bran Anchovy, brewers’ waste, groundout brand or rice bran. Farm-made feeds are primarily based on the cost of ingredients, rather than the nutritional requirements of the fish. Fish that were fed wheat bran or maize bran grew much faster than fish fed rice bran. Because of its lower fibre levels, maize bran is more effective than wheat bran.
With the rapid development of the fish farming industry and the feed problems faced by fish farming in Ghana, it is very promising to start a fish feed production business in Ghana.
Business Plan for Fish Feed Milling Plant
1. Develop a plant construction plan
First, conduct thorough research. Then, conduct an economic analysis and demonstrate technical capabilities. Once the needs of the fish feed industry are met, and advanced configuration technology and feed processing are understood, investment can be made and construction can begin.
2. Scientists can determine the plant construction scale
The basis for designing fish feed processing plants is the scale of production. The demand for feed in the area should determine the scale of production.
3. Select the right site
Plant site design should be based on the principle of “processing near”, with priority given to areas that have sufficient feed resources, animal husbandry, easy transportation, and guaranteed power. The housing costs and raw material storage costs can be avoided if the feed factory is located near the grain depot.
4. Select equipment carefully
The production scale should be used to determine the complete set of equipment needed for a factory.
The investment, energy consumption and ease of maintenance of the equipment and square will all influence the decision about the flow of the production line.
Fish Feed Manufacturing Process Flow Chart
Crushing section
Our fish feed crushing machine first breaks down the raw materials to make pellets. The crushing chamber is equipped with fast-moving rotating drum hammers. The materials are then run through an extremely high pressure airflow to reduce their size. For the grinding of fish feed raw materials in fish feed plants, a fish feed hammermill is necessary.
Batching and mixing section
To make a high-quality fish feed pellet, the crushed materials should be thoroughly mixed. Convection and shearing are two important parts of the mixing process. Our fish feed mixer machine has a twin ribbon as well as a single shaft.
First ingredients and mixing system
Preparation of popular raw materials is the first ingredient. This is the preparation of large quantities of ingredients in the formula. The electronic batching scale is the main tool for finishing this fish feed mill process. For the first mixing, the single-shaft horizontal ribbon mixer can be used. The grease addition system on the fish feeder mixer equipment must also be considered.
Secondary batching and mixing system
Because aquatic animals have low food intake, a short digestive tract and poor digestion abilities, aquatic feed must be very fine in particle size. A fine pulverization procedure is required. The secondary pulverization involves lifting the mixed materials by a hoist. They then go into the warehouse to be pulverized.
Crushing Section
Secondary batching and mixing are done with the cleaned materials. After secondary batching, different raw materials are added to the secondary mixer. The artificial feeding port is located above the secondary mixer and is used primarily for adding trace additives. A liquid addition device is located on the mixer to allow for the addition grease.
Extruding/pelletizing section
With the fish feed machine, or fish extruder machine, mixed raw materials are compressed into desired shapes. The dry type fish feed extruder machine is a reliable, cost-effective, and easy-to-use fish feed maker for small-scale or large-scale fish feed plants. The wet type extruder with conditioner is best for large fish feed factories. It can produce high-quality pellets in large quantities.
Drying Section
The heat from the fish feed pellet maker or extruder causes the feed material to become hot. It also has moisture. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the temperature and dry it off. A mesh belt dryer is a simple, easy-to-use and straightforward way to dry fish food pellets.
Oil Spraying Section
Oil Spraying Machine is responsible for the good taste and pleasant smell of the final product. The Oil Spraying Machine rotates at high speed and sprays atomized oil onto both the surface of the fish food pellets. The excess oil is then filtered through a special filter.
Pellets Cooling Section
The oil-sprayed fish meal pellets can become soft and easily break if they are heated up. The fish food pellets need to be chilled in order to prevent this loss. Most fish feed manufacturing plants use a counter flow cooler to cool their fish food pellets. This is because they are cooled in the opposite direction from the air cooling.
Pellets Packaging Section
Many packaging machines are available for bagging and weighing finished fish food pellets. These fish feed mill machines are able to reduce labor intensity, increase production, meet hygiene standards, and meet large-scale needs of your fish pellet plant. These packaged fish food pellets can be stored in sealed bags for easy transport or storage.
Other things to consider When making fish feed pellets
Formula
To produce a diet that meets animal nutritional needs, it is important to use a precise formula. The feed’s nutrient content may differ from the one listed in the nutrient composition tables. Feed manufacturers need to remember that only laboratory raw material analysis can give the most precise formula. The manufacturer should seek professional assistance if it is not familiar enough with the formulating process.
Granularity
A hammer mill and a roller mill are required to grind the grain to get the best performance in animal production. A decrease in grain particle size is known to increase grain surface area, improve digestion efficiency and eventually improve weight gain efficiency. A reduction in particle size also improves uniformity when grains are mixed with vitamins, minerals, and protein. The type of animal using the feed will determine the best granularity.