Pig Feed from Local Resources - Indonesia
by Tigor Sihombing - 2003 Graduate
Freelance Organic Farming Consultant
submitted October 2022
Network e-Bulletin No. 11, November 2022
Tigor’s Fermented Pig Feed
made from locally available resources
https://gyazo.com/19c2fa66fddc5fe5d48a920e5ba2fe14
Tigor with hands full of fermented greens
Tigor the Farmer Trainer
Tigor is an organic farming consultant working with farmers all over Indonesia. The photos of this article are from natural pig rearing training programs conducted with local people in Papua and in Makassar (Ujung Padang), Sulawesi.
Although the majority of Indonesians are Muslim and do not eat pork, there are also large populations of non-Muslims all around the country. Pigs play an important role in their culture and traditions (especially in Papua) and the raising of pigs is a viable source of income.
While this article focuses on pig rearing, Tigor is expert in multiple organic farming methods for raising livestock and producing all varieties of crops, vegetables, and fruits. His training, which focuses on building self-reliance by sustainable use of locally available resources, reaches people of all religions, languages, and cultures.
Tigor’s Famous Fermented Pig Feed Recipe
made from fermented local materials
https://gyazo.com/b0f081c45e99ef493cad600c5ca27487 https://gyazo.com/d845f1a6370ac1e0dab4a90fb7507279
Cutting up fruits for pig feed - papayas / bananas
Ingredients
for ~120 kg of feed
60 kg Local leaves - usually Tigor uses kangkong, papaya leaves, spinach
~10 kg* Fruits**
5 kg Salt
3 kg Charcoal
1 kg Soil
31 kg Rice husk
*Amount ~10kg: 10kg is a rough estimate, calculated at 10% of the body weight of the pigs for each fruit
**Kinds of fruits: Any fruit available in the area can be used. In these photos, Tigor is mixing in papayas and bananas because they are in season. He also uses fruits and vegetables from the market which are low quality or becoming rotten, such as tomotos and carrots.
Fermentation process
Ferment the leaves and fruits separately
Cut leaves and fruits into small pieces
Add brown sugar and mix until the leaves or fruit look shiny
Put it in a bucket; do not fill to the top, there must be a few centimeters of air space
Cover with cardboard, not plastic or newsprint, and seal the top tightly; it is essential that the containers and coverings keep out light
Store in a dark place, not exposed to light, for 3 to 7 days - in tropical places 3 days is usually long enough
https://gyazo.com/f86955de7676a794e85889be73f73203 https://gyazo.com/08ce6fb9beb9f5321b7a3bd731d729fe
Tigor showing how to ferment in containers / fermented green leaves
How to make
After fermenting, mix the leaves and fruits together and keep the mix in a container
When ready to feed pigs, mix in the salt, charcoal, soil, and rice husk
Feed can be kept for about 3 days
Note: This feed cannot be given to pregnant pigs
https://gyazo.com/2bc8027f77dfaf95922c8b9742363550
Final feed mixture
https://gyazo.com/19f13560225a5618d7d8c2aae9ab5eb1
Farmers normally raise local varieties of pigs and with this feed they reach full weight (about 100kg) in 7 to 8 months
Thank you, Tigor, for sharing your knowledge!
https://gyazo.com/f6c8d21330ad71f0d42a8a4b588bfc2e
Tigor and local farmer, growing kangkong
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