N. Carter

Nutrient composition and seasonal availability of local feedstuffs for pigs in western Kenya

Carter, N. A., Dewey, C. E., Lukuyu, B., Grace, D. and de Lange, C. F. M. 2015. Nutrient composition and seasonal availability of local feedstuffs for pigs in western Kenya. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 95: 397-406. In this study, nutritional values and seasonal availability were estimated for 25 local feedstuffs for pigs in western Kenya, based on analyzed nutrient contents and a review of the literature. Characteristics considered included: crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), ether extract (EE), Ca, P, standardized total tract digestible (STTD) P, total Lys, standardized ileal digestible (SID) Lys (all as g kg-1 of DM), and digestible energy (DE) (kcal kg-1 DM). Contents of total Lys, SID lysine, STTD P, and DE were estimated. Overripe improved-variety avocado (Persea americana) had the greatest estimated DE (5280 kcal kg-1 DM) and EE content (521 g kg-1 of DM). Cattle rumen content had the greatest NDF content (664 g kg-1 of DM). Sun-dried fish (Rastrineobola argentea) had the greatest estimated STTD P content (13.5 g kg-1 of DM). Amaranthus spinosus L. had the greatest Ca content (26 g kg-1 of DM). Fresh cattle blood had the greatest CP and estimated SID Lys content (944 and 83.0 g kg-1 of DM, respectively). Feedstuffs availability periods are: March through May plus September and October; June through August; and November through February. Local feedstuffs of sufficient nutritional value for pigs are seasonally available. Estimated nutritional values may assist in diet formulation.

Men and women farmers’ perceptions of adopting improved diets for pigs in Uganda: decision-making, income allocation, and intra-household strategies that mitigate relative disadvantage

BackgroundThe roles and responsibilities of men and women in east African smallholder pig-raising households and the entitlements each can claim from pig-enterprise income are unknown. The article is a qualitative gender-and-household-head-disaggregated exploration of Ugandan smallholder pig farmers’ perceptions. Asset ownership, control, and access; division of labour; and decision-making related to pig rearing and pig-enterprise income are presented in the context of the potential impact of adopting improved diets for pigs (a productivity improvement).ResultsPotential benefits of improved diet adoption included faster pig growth; increased farmer income and pig population; new on-farm employment and produce market opportunities; and improved pig market opportunities and family- and community-level well-being. Contradictory views about the potential impact of diet adoption on labour requirements and feed costs, and the inclusion of seasonal, home-grown ingredients were expressed. Concerns about people and pigs competing for food and personal safety were also voiced. Women allocated pig-enterprise income to provide for their children, household, and extended family, and spent only the remaining income on themselves. Men allocated income to meet personal needs, and to provide for their children, wife, second wife/family, extended family, and lovers. Men and women in female-headed households (WFHH) had overt decision-making ability over the pig enterprise and pig-enterprise income. Some women in male-headed households (WMHH) had overt decision-making ability over the pig enterprise and pig-enterprise income when their husband allowed it, or failed to provide, or was away. Pig ownership and labour investment by WMHH did not guarantee that women had decision-making ability or benefitted from pig-enterprise income. Some WMHH employed covert strategies which mitigated their relative disadvantage. Threat of domestic violence inhibited the decision-making ability of WMHH. Polygyny reduced intra-household communication transparency.ConclusionsDiet adoption could benefit smallholder pig-raising households and farming communities, but lack of funds and human/pig food competition could limit adoption. Men, WFHH, and some WMHH had overt decision-making ability over the pig enterprise and pig-enterprise income. Men allocated income to benefit themselves, and their multiple families and lovers. Women allocated income to benefit their families and spent only surplus income on themselves. Women employed covert strategies to mitigate their relative disadvantage.

Nutritional Value and Seasonal Availability of Feed Ingredients for Pigs in Uganda

Abstract In this study nutritional values and seasonal availability of 43 local feed ingredients for pigs in Uganda, were estimated based on nutrient analyses and literature values, information needed to develop low-cost balanced rations for pigs on smallholder farms. Parameters considered were: concentration of ash, neutral detergent fibre (NDF), crude protein (CP), calcium (Ca), phosphorous (P), ether extract (EE), total lysine (Lys), standardized ileal digestible (SID) Lys, standardized total tract digestible (STTD) P (all as % of dry matter [DM]); digestible energy (DE), (kcal kg−1 of DM); and DM concentration. Concentration of DE, total Lys, SID Lys, and STTD P were estimated. Ingredient seasonal availability and relative importance were identified. Ground sun-dried fish (Rastrineobola argentea) had highest estimated DE concentration and Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) had lowest (4209 and 535 kcal kg−1 of DM, respectively). Ground sun-dried fish had highest CP and estimated total Lys concentration (59.9 and 6.7% of DM, respectively) and banana peel (Musa sapientum), had lowest (5.21 and 0.08% of DM, respectively). Milled ingredients sampled here had higher ash than in the literature (e.g. ground sun-dried fish 58.1 vs 15.9% of DM) likely indicating sand contamination. There were 3 seasons of availability of ingredients. Banana peel, maize bran, and sweet potato vine (Ipomoea batatas) were ranked highest; and commercially-prepared ration, and kale/collard greens (Brassica oleracea var. acephala), were ranked lowest as potential feed ingredients. Ingredients with nutritional profiles suitable for pigs are available but some only in certain seasons. Estimated nutritional values may assist in ration formulation.