As the quest for economic recovery is gathering momentum day-in day-out from the grassroots (each
household). Manageable families are very important to this nation to solve the problems of food
shortage and joblessness. Strong and well structured Agricultural practices that are mainly homedriven
and funded are crucial to foster the transformation of Nigerian agriculture. This study was set
out to examine the impact of operational research on how accumulated agro-waste could be converted
and utilised to support animal protein production through aquaculture in Abeokuta, Nigeria.
Invertebrates (maggot, garden snail, earthworm and palm grub) were raised from farm waste products.
The proximate analysis of the raised invertebrates was evaluated and the values used in the formulation
of four experimental diets (A, B, C, and D). The control diet – E, had fish meal as sole source of animal
protein. The feeds were fed to experimental Clarias gariepinus fingerlings for 84 days, the growth
performance was monitored and compared among the five sets. The cost benefit analysis was
calculated. The cost of feed was summarised thus: Diet-A: $1,020c; B: $1,215b; C: $1,136b; D: $1,077c;
and E: $1,876a. Treatment E (fish-based meal) was the most expensive, followed by B, C, D and A in that
order. However, statistical analysis revealed significant differences in the cost of feeding across the
feeding treatments at P< 0.05. Cost of production can be reduced effectively through the use of
invertebrates in raising fish in intensive system. If the act of raising invertebrates and replacing fish
meal in the diet of fish or other livestock can provide jobs for youth; offer them decent incomes and
feed a growing population; more can still be achieved to ensure security and decent livelihood.