Smallholder pig systems in Luang Prabang and Xieng Khouang provinces: Current feed situation and potential of forage legumes for improving pig productivity

摘要

Pig production plays an important role in smallholder farming systems in upland villages of Lao PDR. It serves as an income source or as capital accumulation needed when crop (rice) production fails. Farmers raise pigs in many ways or systems depending on the availability of feed resources and the intensity of farming systems. There are two main problems in smallholder systems-disease and seasonal feed limitations. Stylosanthes guianensis CIAT 184 (Stylo 184) has been introduced to overcome limitations to feed resources (in both quantity and quality). The impacts of using Stylo 184 are increased weight gain and savings in time and labour needed for finding and collecting feeds. Apart from these two main effects, other benefits include, for example, a systems change from free-range production to a more manageable penned system and a reduction in piglet mortality. The potential for introducing other high-quality legumes for feeding village pigs is high; however, they should suit the local farming systems.