Algae-based animal feed

This solution was shared by PRE-LAUNCH RESEARCH TEAM , 14 May 2021

Print date: 14 April 2024 10:22

Description of the innovative solution

Alternative protein Animal feed Aquaculture Circular economy Urban farming Preservation Solar energy Waste Water availability

Large scale-implementation of algae-based animal feed has the potential to be a source of many carbon sinks, reducing our overall carbon footprint, and improve global food security despite the world’s growing population. By implementing algae-based animal feed on a large scale, the amount of cropland currently used to provide livestock with feed will be dramatically reduced. As the global population increases, demand for food, and therefore cropland will increase. Algae-based animal feed has the potential to mitigate climate change by reducing the cropland use for livestock feed production and replacing it with a sustainable alternative. When less cropland is used to feed livestock it can instead be put toward feeding the growing global population. If implemented widely enough, algae-based animal feed could lead to a large reduction in cropland use which in turn could increase the amount of land that can act as a carbon sink, further mitigating climate change. Algae-based animal feed itself is incredibly sustainable to produce. The requirements for algae growth consist of essentially just sunlight and some essential nutrients. On top of this, the production of the algae itself could potentially double as a carbon sink, increasing the positive effects of algae-based animal feed. Algae-based animal feed offers a hopeful solution to curbing greenhouse gas emissions and the negative environmental effects of farming livestock as well as increasing global food security.

Supply chain segment

Agricultural inputs and primary production practices

Maturity level

Moving to scale

Criteria

Food quality Food availability Food desirability Climate mitigation Water use Soil health Reducing biodiversity loss Increasing agrobiodiversity Reducing pollution

SDG target

SDG 2: Zero Hunger SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production SDG 13: Climate Action SDG 14: Life Below Water

Context

Peri-urban Rural Marine/Coastal

Examples and additional resources

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Additional resources

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A review of the current state of algae-based feeds in agriculture and aquaculture.
Scientific paper
A scientific review on current trends in algae-based animal feed in both the aqua-cultural a agricultural sectors and future opportunities for growth.
Shared by PRE-LAUNCH RESEARCH TEAM

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