Innovation of low cost "Auto feeder" for effective feed management in fish farm

Abstract

Aquaculture is a thriving industry, contributing significantly to the country's total fish requirements. The feeding system is a crucial aspect of this sector. The broadcasting method of the feeding system, commonly practiced in Bangladesh, has some drawbacks such as being labor-intensive, time-consuming, and causing water quality deterioration. To address these issues, a cost-effective auto feeder was designed and developed. The goal was to create a low-cost auto feeder using a solar panel as a renewable energy source. This innovation aims to help farmers adopt modern aquaculture equipment for economic viability. Solar energy serves as an alternative solution in energy crisis conditions and operates automatically, reducing the need for manpower. The newly designed auto feeder releases a fixed quantity of feed at predetermined times, preventing overeating and ensuring well-fed, healthy fish. This approach minimizes overfeeding, preventing water quality deterioration and ensuring better feeding practices. Experimental results showed that the newly designed auto feeder only needed 10 minutes to dispense feed in a one-acre pond, making it 10% more efficient than the broadcasting method in terms of time and labor costs. The innovated low-cost auto feeder is expected to address the challenges associated with broadcasting methods and contribute to better feeding system management in Bangladesh.