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During the second edition of the CORAF symposium on the state of agricultural product processing in West and Central Africa, a theme developed by the Institut Togolais de Recherche Agronomique (ITRA) stood out and caught the attention of participants.

"Fish feed, a major challenge for fisheries production in Togo" was the theme presented by N'FEIDE TOÏ, zootechnical engineer at the Institut Togolais de Recherche Agronomique (ITRA). The traditional processing of soybeans for use in fish feed was highlighted. The study revealed that the roasting process required to incorporate soybeans into fish feed is not mastered by fish farmers, particularly in rural areas, due to its technological complexity.

Faced with this situation, a new approach is emerging that does not involve roasting. "We came up with the idea of studying the possibility of a soybean germination process for incorporation into fish feed, to see what the results would be. The initial study presented at this CORAF symposium aims to assess the impact of this process on the protein content of soybeans and to test its effectiveness in fish feed", shares the Togolese researcher TOÏ.

To everyone's surprise, the results were conclusive: bean sprouts, whether fresh or dried, proved non-toxic to fish. "Over a period of 56 days, fish fed with this soy showed a normal survival rate. What's more, the protein content of sprouted soy proved to be similar to that of roasted soy, with the advantage that the sprouting technique is mastered by the fish farmers", says Mr. TOÏ.

However, one challenge remains: the presence of aflatoxin in sprouted soybeans, due to the drying methods used, notably sun-drying. As a result, a key recommendation emerged from the research: the need to develop a technological package to perfect a germination process that completely eliminates the presence of aflatoxin. Aflatoxins are toxins produced by certain fungi present in food crops. They contaminate food products and can cause health problems.

According to the researcher, this edition of the CORAF symposium offers an opportunity for learning and sharing, as the themes addressed are also being studied in other countries in the sub-region and beyond. This pooling of knowledge presents a valuable opportunity to improve practices and establish partnerships that benefit all the players involved.