The ability of Africa to generate enough animal protein to feed the continent’s expanding population is one of the many obstacles standing in the way of her attaining food security. North-West University (NWU) in South Africa recently awarded Dr. Godfrey Mhlongo, an animal science PhD graduate, an inventive solution to this problem. His study looks at the utilization of discarded oyster mushroom substrates and brown seaweed as alternatives to conventional chicken feed, which could transform poultry production throughout the continent. It is also reasonably priced.
The study conducted by Dr. Mhlongo focuses on feeding native hens with sea bamboo meal (SBM), a brown seaweed component. Proteins, essential amino acids, polysaccharides, polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and pigments are just a few of the bioactive substances found in brown seaweed, especially Ecklonia maxima. The antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant qualities of these substances are well recognized, and they may all considerably improve the health and productivity of chickens.
In an effort to enhance the nutritional content of SBM, Dr. Mhlongo added oyster mushroom spawn to the mixture. The lignin-degrading enzymes that oyster mushrooms are known for can break down complicated fibers in feed, increasing the chickens’ accessibility to nutrients. By using spent oyster mushroom substrate (SMS), a byproduct of mushroom production that is normally abandoned as garbage, this method not only improves the feed’s nutritional value but also tackles the environmental problem of waste management.
Two feeding trials were carried out by Dr. Mhlongo to assess the efficacy of this novel feed approach. SBM-containing diet was fed to Boschveld cockles in the initial study. The addition of SBM did not substantially affect growth indicators; however, it did raise total feed intake and change a few blood markers. The outcomes were more encouraging in the second trial, though, when oyster mushroom spawn was added to the meal. The cockerels’ overall growth parameters, slaughter weight, and breast weight all improved when fed a combination of SBM and SMS.
Many financial and environmental advantages come from using SMS and SBM in chicken feed. Seaweed grows quickly and may be collected several times a year without requiring a lot of resources, in contrast to conventional feedstocks like corn and soybeans, which need a lot of arable land, fresh water, and fertilizers. Because of this, SBM becomes a very sustainable feed choice that can help conserve biodiversity and lessen the amount of chemicals used in agriculture.
Additionally, this strategy has major financial advantages for small-scale farmers in Africa. Brown seaweed meal is free to harvest, and leftover oyster mushroom substrate—generally seen as waste—can be recycled into beneficial feed ingredients. This can improve production efficiency, lower farmers’ feed costs, and present chances for revenue diversification.
Dr. Mhlongo highlights that a number of obstacles must be addressed before this novel feed approach can be widely adopted. Scaling this strategy throughout Africa will need the creation of regulatory frameworks, infrastructure development, and knowledge distribution. To guarantee the sustainability and scalability of SBM and SMS in chicken feed, further considerations include processing technology, market development, and supply chain infrastructure.
Regarding the possibility of expanding brown seaweed and SMS production and processing throughout Africa, Dr. Mhlongo is still upbeat. He points out that nations like South Africa, Namibia, Kenya, and Nigeria, with their ideal environmental conditions, established industrial infrastructure, and growing interest in cutting-edge agricultural approaches, are in a good position to promote this development.
Dr. Mhlongo’s research offers a sustainable, economical, and ecologically friendly method of producing chicken feed, which offers a promising way to address Africa’s food security issues. This creative approach has the potential to be extremely important in feeding the continent’s expanding population while protecting its natural resources, given the proper infrastructure and support.
