Dinh Van Binh, Ngo Tien Dzung and Nguyen Thi Mui
NIAH Goat and Rabbit Research Center, Son Tay, Ha Tay, Vietnam

ABSTRACT

Introduction and utilization of multi-purpose crops and forages integrated with animal production in Bavi District, North Vietnam is described. Survey showed the usual problems encountered by farmers and research activities were formulated to address the problems. Technology transfer on farming systems, at household level contributed to the improvement of animal productivity, increased soil fertility and enhanced economic efficiency.

INTRODUCTION

Farming in Bavi district is done the traditional way which is based on a system of cassava, rice, rootcrops, fruit trees, vegetable, forest trees with eucalyptus and livestock.

The farmers usually raise their animals mainly using locally available feed resources such as natural tree leaves or grasses and by-products and residues from vegetables or crops (cassava, sweet potato, bananas, rice, maize, groundnut, bean, etc.). Pasture areas decline steadily as human population increases.

Low productivity of livestock is experienced by farmers due to the inadequate and poor quality of feed given to the animals.

In 1992, a survey was done in Bavi district using PRA and RRA methods (Chamber 1992a, 1992b) to find out constraints faced by farmers in traditional farming system. The   constraints  identified    were:
1.) insufficient supply of feed for animals resulting to low rate of productivity;
2.) lack of technologies on using and processing local feed resources;
3.) small size of animal herd, with no extension system and no integration and therefore low income; and
4.) forest was destroyed and was planted to cassava resulting to erosion and land degradation.

METHODOLOGY

On-farm research activities and demonstration trials were focused on the introduction of improved forage species and multi purpose crops, utilization of protein-rich forages with a basal diet of agricultural by-products, and the introduction and addition of dairy goats to the farming system and establishment of biodigesters and fish in ponds.

RESULTS

Forage species introduced
Tropical forage legumes and shrub trees such as Morus alba sp, Leucaena hybrid KX2, Leucaena leucocephara K636, Leucaena pallida K748, Flemingia macrophylla, Artocapus heterophyllus, Trichantera gigantea and tropical grasses PM Likoni, P.M TD58, Pennisetum pupureum, Kingrass, Zuri grass and Pangola grass were found to be adaptable and productive and can be used as an alternative for cereal grains. Other species found to be an effective substitute feed for animals were Guinea grass (Panicum maximum), Elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum), Sugarcane, Stylosanthes guianensis or Stylosanthes humilis and Flemingia macrophylla.

Utilization and feeding of forages
Guinea grass, Elephant grass, Zuri grass and Pangola grass are the main feed for animals in the area comprising about 50 to 70% of the diet of cattle or small ruminants. These species were planted in homestead for "cut and carry system" in the farms. Zuri grass is used as preserved feed resource for animals during the dry season. Para grass grows well in the dry season and used as green feed in the diet for ruminants. Use of leguminous forage or shrub and tree leaves for ruminant feeding is gaining popularity. Research activities are focused on forages from leguminous trees and shrubs.

Techniques on utilization and processing leaves of jackfruit, bananas and Acacia mangium supplemented with the protein-rich tree leaves such as those from Trichanthera gigantea, Leucaena leucocephala, Flemingia macrophylla and cassava were introduced to the farmers. Diets based on cassava meal, rice bran and molasses supplemented with the leaves of protein-rich trees for feeding animals have been successful.

Leucaena species K636, K748 and KX2 are potential supplements for lactating goats. Leaves of Trichantera gigantea can replace cereal concentrate and guinea grass in the diets of rabbits. (Nguyen Quang Suc et al. 1997).

Benefits derived from introduced forages
The results of technology transfer has established the potential of the new feed resources for dual purpose goat production as a means of improving animal productivity and farmers’ income. Demonstrations were established in 5 households in 1993. The number of participating farmers increased yearly and from the data obtained an economic comparison was made between the traditional and the new farming systems. The results showed major increases in income as a result of the introduction of the new system (Binh and Mui 1997).

Improved Farming System
The economic efficiency (income, profit and especially the rate of return on capital) of the new integrated system of production including dairy goat, forage and sugarcane planting and biodigester was higher (31.4%) than in the traditional system. Dairy goat was an important component in the attainment of higher production efficiency under the new system. Adopters of the improved system increased from 12 in 1995 to 186 in 1999.

CONCLUSION

The research activities and transfer of technologies carried out since 1991 in Bavi have shown the potential values of multi-purpose crops and forages that can be used for animal feeding and improving soil fertility. The productivity of dairy cows, goats, rabbits and other animals increased by using protein-rich forages with diets based on agricultural by-products.

There has been an increase in the economic efficiency of livestock production using the new cultivated forages along with the local feed resources for sustainable farming systems.

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