Low cost ways to feed poultry and livestock are very important to maintain food security in a sustainable systems. We looked at Duckweed, Moringa, Aazolla, Cumfrey ad other land and aquatic plants that grow easily in SE Asia and Thiland in particular. Our goal is the lowest-cost for making food and silage using locally available feeds.
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AQUATIC PLANTS– Grow fast, some double every 24 hours. Duckweed (Lemnaceae family) and Azolla (Azolla genus) are two categories of aquatic plants with high potential for use in livestock feed. Both categories of aquatic plants can grow rapidly under ideal conditions. They contain relatively high protein content (30 +%) and have potential for use as a low-cost livestock feed supplement. The challenge is bacteria in the water that can cause diarrhea. There these two promising plants must be well washed an in some cases dried before being used s animal feed. Sources of fertility livestock manure added to the water for low cost fertility. Duckweed Azolla Comfrey
For more information https://www.echocommunity.org/resources/7c2ac101-55dc-4f79-8ee3-b77bd957dd35 |
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BANANA STALK – In Northern Thailand, banana stalks are an important source of feed for pigs. It is necessary to make a molasses mixture with the chopped stalk. Analysis showed energy, protein, and digestibility parameters consistent across different molasses and salt recipes. However, silage with no additives will spoil quickly in the tropical heat, while high-molasses silage will not.  Green banana stalk |
PAPER MULBERRY – a common roadside weed which is utilized for pig feed by small-scale farmers in Northern Thailand. It has over 22% protein and exceptionally low fiber.
NACEDARO – (Trichanthera gigantea), a tropical shrub known as Madre de Agua in some regions. It is a fast-growing tree with large leaves suitable for livestock forage. It has been widely adopted in the Philippines for use as a feed supplement for chickens. However, growth is highly seasonal.
