Viabilidade econômica da ração com raspa de mandioca na alimentação de juvenis de tilápias-do-nilo (oreochromis niloticus)

Abstract

Fish farming has emerged as a promising alternative to meet the growing demand for animal protein. Among the cultivated species, Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) stands out for its high zootechnical performance and adaptability. However, the high cost of feed, especially soybean meal, compromises the economic feasibility of production. This study aimed to evaluate the economic viability of including cassava peels as an alternative ingredient in feed formulations for juvenile Nile tilapia. The experiment was conducted at LEAQUA/UESPI, using 240 fish distributed into four treatments with different cassava peel inclusion levels (0%, 5%, 10%, and 15%), with four replicates each. Zootechnical and economic variables were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey’s test at a 5% significance level. Results showed that cassava peel inclusion did not significantly affect water quality parameters, biomass, or gross revenue. However, all treatments recorded negative values for profitability index and operating profit. Operational costs remained high, and the percentages of feed and fry costs showed no significant differences. It is concluded that although cassava peel is a locally available and low- cost input, its use as a partial substitute for soybean meal did not provide economic benefits for Nile tilapia farming under the conditions evaluated, making it an unfeasible alternative.