Pig Feed from Local Resources - Japan - ARI & Thailand - ECHO Asia
by the Asian Rural Institute & ECHO Asia
submitted October 2022
Network e-Bulletin No. 11, November 2022
Fermented Banana Stem Pig Feed
https://gyazo.com/1d51076497a261574d86250de2d478a3
This year, the participants in the pig section made feed from banana stems
Do you have bananas in your place? I think almost all ARI graduates will say YES! At ARI, although it is cold, we can grow bananas, but we never get fruit, because the plants freeze in the winter. However, we get big stems and leaves, so we decided to try making pig feed with it.
We got this idea from ECHO Asia in Chiangmai, Thailand. You can find all the details at the link below. Please note that this article is available in English plus 5 other languages!
ECHO Asia – Chiangmai Thailand
https://gyazo.com/73daaae9c8feb2e2095303ca755434f8
Banana trees (but in Japan they never produce bananas!)
Trial at ARI
Since we have banana stems on campus, the participants had a chance to experiment with making Fermented Banana Stem pig feed. This feed is an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Other ingredients, such as rice powder, can be mixed in for additional nutrient value. The experiment was successful and now they are excited to try making this feed at home, because it is a readily available local resource.
How we make it!
Select young banana plants and cut them down
Remove outer leaves
Chop the soft inner stem into small pieces (3-5 cm)
Add salt and brown sugar (about one cup each for the amount shown in these photos)
Optional – Add rice powder (for carbohydrates)
Mix well and put into a sealed container for fermentation
After about 4 days, check that it has fermented – it should have a good alcohol-like smell
Feed little by little (mixing with other feed) – this batch lasted one month; over time the liquid content increased, but we kept feeding until it was gone
https://gyazo.com/65ca28786ce03a80bcc527ab02a75dfb
Chopping up banana stems in the feed mixing room
----