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Second FAO Electronic Conference on Tropical Feeds
Livestock Feed Resources within Integrated Farming Systems
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Abstract of twenty seventh paper, from B.X. Men.

Questions that might stimulate discussion on this topic
include:

1. Do you know other farming systems where ducks play a key
role (weeding, fertilization...) as in the Vietnamese
ricefields?

2. Are there economical figures demonstrating the benefit of
raising ducks in the ricefields?

3. Do you have figures on strategic supplementation of ducks
with local feed resources as aquatic plants for protein and
sugarcane or palm juice for energy?

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THE ROLE OF SCAVENGING DUCKS, DUCKWEED AND FISH IN INTEGRATED
FARMING SYSTEMS IN VIETNAM

Bui Xuan Men

Faculty of Agriculture, Cantho University, Vietnam
E-mail: c/o Dr Thu
thu%cantho2%cantho%sarec%ifs.plants@ox.ac.uk

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ABSTRACT

There are some 30 million ducks raised annually in Vietnam.
Most are scavengers raised seasonally in rice fields during
the early growth of the crop and immediately post-harvest; and
in backyards or gardens of farm households throughout the
year. Duck and fish production has been expanding and
contributes to increased income and improved living standards
of the farmers, especially for poor farmers in the remote
rural areas. 

Trials on using duckweed cultivated as a partial or complete
replacement of protein supplement for feeding crossbred and
Muscovy ducks gave encouraging results. The practice of using
scavenging ducks to control insects and weeds in the rice
fields contributes to decreased investment and brings more
benefits for the farmers. Duckweed grown in the integrated
farming system is also a high quality feed for fish.

KEY WORDS: Ducks, local, scavenging, rice fields, duckweed,
fish

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FAO ELECTRONIC CONFERENCE:
LIVESTOCK FEED RESOURCES WITHIN INTEGRATED FARMING SYSTEMS
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