The use of cassava roots and silage from leaves for pig: Feeding in Yunnan Province of China

Abstract

Since 1990 we have undertaken a large number of experiments and conducted research on the development and use of cassava roots and leaves as animal feed resources, in order to explore the possibility of substituting cassava-based feeds for those of grain, thus saving grain for human consumption that was previously used for feeding animals. We have conducted chemical analyses to determine the nutrient composition of cassava roots and leaves, conducted animal feeding trials using cassava, and experimented with the substitution of cassava-powder for maize in raising animals and fish, as well as the feeding of pigs with silage of cassava leaves. The results are very satisfactory. At present we have introduced 32 improved varieties of cassava and we have set up a 200 ha production base for selection and multiplication of these varieties. Use of cassava in animal feeds now accounts for 32.2% of total output of cassava in Yunnan province. The cassava cultivated area increased from 2,453 ha in 1988 (five counties) to 14,000 ha in 1998, resulting in a production increase of 6.5 times compared with the output in 1988. This has removed some of the competition between people and animals for grain, and promoted the development of animal husbandry in Honghe district.