NUTRIMO Aquaculture Project Impact

FAM Foundation
Mar 25
3 min read

Updated: Jul 2

As one of the four projects awarded a FAM Grant in the 2023–2024 cycle, NUTRIMO is a groundbreaking initiative led by CESAM – Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies at the University of Aveiro, in collaboration with Mozambican partners. The project aims to address critical food security challenges in Mozambique by enhancing local aquaculture practices through sustainable, science-based solutions.

The central objective of NUTRIMO is to develop improved feed for Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)—a key protein source in rural Mozambique—using locally available ingredients. By doing so, the project seeks to increase fish production, boost nutritional outcomes, and support community livelihoods in remote areas where access to animal protein is limited and undernutrition remains a pressing concern, particularly among children.

Tackling Aquaculture Challenges

The NUTRIMO project aims to address the challenges faced by Mozambique's aquaculture sector, particularly the reliance on imported fish feed and low production levels due to underdeveloped techniques. By empowering communities with the knowledge and tools to produce their own sustainable food, NUTRIMO seeks to enhance food security and alleviate poverty in the region.

Project Implementation and Key Milestones

During the first semester of 2024, the NUTRIMO project made significant progress across technical, scientific, and community dimensions. From the setup of specialized infrastructure to extensive field research and local engagement, the team laid a strong foundation for the project’s long-term success. Below are the key activities and achievements that have shaped the first phase of implementation:

Establishment of Experimental Infrastructure: The team successfully installed a dedicated aquaculture experimental unit and laboratory to conduct feed formulation trials, growth performance testing, and water quality monitoring. This facility serves as the technical backbone of the project.
Field Research in Mozambique: Extensive on-the-ground work was carried out in the provinces of Sofala and Zambézia. Researchers conducted nutritional analyses of over 30 local ingredients to determine their suitability for fish feed, such as cassava residues, rice bran, corn meal, and local legumes.
Development of Formulated Feed: Several feed prototypes were designed using the identified ingredients and tested for digestibility, nutrient absorption, and fish growth rates. The formulations focused on maintaining a balance between protein, lipids, and fiber to optimize fish health while keeping costs low.
Community Engagement and Capacity Building: Local fish farmers, especially women-led aquaculture groups, were trained in sustainable aquaculture techniques, including feed preparation, pond management, water quality control, and fish health monitoring. The training also emphasized the use of climate-resilient practices.
Preliminary Results: Initial growth trials show promising results, with increased weight gain among tilapia fed with the new formulations, and improved water quality metrics. Communities expressed strong interest in adopting the techniques and extending them to other rural areas.

Impact and Future Outlook

By empowering local communities with the knowledge and resources to sustainably produce their own food, the NUTRIMO project aims to significantly enhance food security and improve the quality of life in Mozambique's inland villages. Through continued collaboration and dedication to the Sustainable Development Goals, NUTRIMO remains committed to driving positive change in the region.

As NUTRIMO continues to make strides in developing handmade tilapia diets and community-based aquaculture practices, the project stands as a beacon of hope for sustainable development in Mozambique. With the support of stakeholders and partners, NUTRIMO is poised to create lasting change and improve the lives of countless individuals in the region.

NUTRIMO directly supports the achievement of multiple Sustainable Development Goals, notably:

SDG 2 (Zero Hunger): By improving local food systems and increasing fish availability.
SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): By promoting access to better nutrition.
SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation): Through the use of integrated water monitoring tools.
SDG 14 (Life Below Water): By supporting responsible aquaculture practices that reduce pressure on wild fish stocks.

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FAM Foundation is committed with the sustainable development goals, Exploiting the power of Portuguese macroalgae and halophytes: A promising approach to tackle antibiotic resistance project impact the following SGD's.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.