Identification and Characterization of Locally Available Feedstuffs for Non-descript Pigs in Selected Municipalities of Benguet

Abstract

The study was conducted to identify the existing potential locally available feed resources for native pigs in selected municipalities of Benguet, namely Bokod, Itogon, Kapangan, Sablan and Tuba; document basic information on their uses for native pig production; determine the nutrient content of selected lesser-known feed resources and classify them based on crude protein content. The study is consisted of two major research activities which include: survey and collection of locally available feedstuffs; and analyses of identified lesser-known feedstuffs through proximate analyses. There are 16 plant species identified as locally available feed resources. These are categorized into two: (a) commonly known feed resources which include “aba/ galyang” (Xanthosoma sagittifolium), “camote” (Ipomoea batatas), “kakaiw” (Manihot esculenta) roots, “madre de agua” (Trichanthera gigantea), “kuliplip” (Azolla sp) and “ipil-ipil” (Leucaena leucocephala) and (b) lesser-known feed resources which include “pekao” (Schismatoglottis calyptrata Roxb), “kakaiw/ kamoteng kahoy” leaves (Manihot esculenta), “bajating/ pintok” (Musa sp), “balat” (Musa sapientum), papaya (Carica papaya), “amolong” (Syngonium podophyllum), “kalunay/ baudan” (Amaranthus spinosus), purslane (Portulaca oleracea), “kangkong” (Ipomoea aquatica), “malunggay” (Moringa oleifera), and “tangsoy/ tungsoy” (Nasturtium officinale). “Ipil-ipil” is being utilized by few farmers but it is categorized as commonly known because “ipil-ipil” leaf meal is now being commercialized. These are either gathered in the wild or intentionally cultivated by the farmers. Commonly utilized plant parts include the leaves, young or soft stems, trunks and roots and majority are given to all physiological stages of native pigs as cooked while some are given as fresh feed. Of the 16 identified locally available feed resources, only the “bajating/ pintok” or the wild banana was graded by the respondents as “good”; the rest were graded as “very good”. Three lesser-known feedstuffs were selected and subjected to proximate analysis. First, “amolong” (Syngonium podophyllum) aerials parts with 11.64%, 0.71%, 16.26%, 18.97%, 2.31%, 14.13% and 47.62% dry matter, moisture, crude protein, crude fiber, crude fat, ash and nutrient free extract respectively. Second, “bajating” (Musa sp) trunk containing 5.78%, 2.02%, 6.18%, 29.84%, 0.99%, 19.04% and 58.07% dry matter, Moisture, crude protein, crude fiber, crude fat, ash and nutrient free extract respectively. Third, “pekao” (Schismatoglottis calyptrata Roxb) aerials parts which contain respectively of 13.87%, 1.19%, 8.81%, 22.22%, 0.78%, 24.17% and 42.83% dry matter, moisture, crude protein, crude fiber, crude fat, ash and nutrient free extract. Based on the crude protein (CP) content of each plant, as suggested by Quansah and Makkar (2012), the lesser-known feed resources are categorized as “very good”, “good” and “fair” with the requirements of ≥16%, >8% but <16%, and ≤8% crude protein content respectively . Commonly known feedstuffs identified under the “very good” category were the aerial parts of “camote”, “ipil-ipil”, “and kuliplip ”and“ madre de agua”. All having CP content of 16% and above. “Aba/ galyang” aerial parts (13.17% CP), were categorized as “good” while the tubers (6.8% CP) and the “kakaiw” roots (2.6% CP) were categorized as “fair”. On the other hand, lesser-known feedstuffs under the “very good” category (16% and above CP content) include “kalunay/ baudan”, “kangkong”, “kuliplip”, “ipil-ipil”, “kakaiw/ kamoteng kahoy” foliage, “malunggay”, “tangsoy/ tungsoy” and “amolong”. On the other hand, purslane (14.7% CP) and “pekao” (8.81% CP) were categorized as “good” while “balat” trunk (3.5% CP) and “bajating/ pintok” trunk (6.18% CP) were categorized as “fair”. It can be induced that utilizing the identified feedstuffs under the categories of “very good” and “good” are better for pig feeding in terms of crude protein supplementation. Based on the results, these locally available feedstuffs identified across the study sites are recommended to be utilized and promoted as feed resources for sustainable feeding system in Benguet and across Cordillera for the benefit of small farmers. Specifically, these are the above-mentioned feedstuffs being categorized as “very good” based from the crude protein contents. The use of these materials as feeds will likely reduce the competition of food and feed resources between man and livestock.