Perceptions and practices of farmers on the utilization of sweetpotato, and other root tubers, and banana for pig feeding in smallholder crop-livestock systems in Uganda
This study of the International Livestock Research Institute highlights the major practices and strategies deployed by pig farmers in response to feeding constraints in Uganda. While there is potential for the use of sweet potato and other root tubers as pig feed in the smallholder pig farming systems, their use is limited due to the lack of knowledge across production, processing, conservation and utilization of the residues from both species. Limited access to quality feeds and reliable feed supply are among the priority constraints of smallholder pig farming in Uganda. Therefore strategies for conserving these valuable feed resources for pig feeding need to be explored, validated and scaled out. This study revealed that the majority of pig farmers in the study area use sweet potato and other root tuber crop residues as animal feed. However, the full potential of the residues is not yet fully exploited since farmers accept that a large amount is wasted. A major constraint for the exploitation is the poor access to technologies for preserving these resources. Therefore, there is a need for further exploration of strategies to conserve sweet potato and other root tuber crop residues during the harvesting period to ensure their use as pig feed during times of feed scarcity.