Abstrak ubi-ubian - Abstracts on root and tuber crops

A list of abstracts to key recent articles on the theme of roots and tubers in Papua.

Peters, D. 2004. Use of sweet potato in pig production in Asia: agricultural and socio-economic aspects, Pig News and Information, 25(1), 25N-34N.

The general economic development in Asia has resulted in the reallocation of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) utilization between pig feed and starch processing. In China, which produces 85% of the world's sweet potato, about 45% is fed to pigs. Vietnam, the second largest world producer, allocates 75% to pig feed since sweet potato cannot compete with cassava as a raw material. Papua, Indonesia, does not occupy a significant place in either global sweet potato or pig production, but its integrated human-pig-sweet potato system has a unique sociocultural significance. Though these three sweet potato-pig systems all involve the feeding of sweet potato to pigs, contrasting qualities exist. For example, traditional belief results in Chinese farmers feeding large amounts of sweet potato at the finishing stage to boost growth and give the meat a sweet taste. As the roots and vines cannot be stored in the subtropical climate of Vietnam, the farmers feed large amount of roots and vines soon after harvest to avoid wastage. Papuan farmers feed pigs raw roots once a day, despite the slow growth caused by the presence of a trypsin inhibitor. These varied qualities influence the approach to improve the feeding systems. In China, premixed or concentrated protein supplements for sweet potato-based diets are appropriate venues; while in Vietnam the emphasis is on crop feed processing and sweet potato selection. In Papua, a systems approach taking into consideration the agro-socio-cultural contexts is necessary to improve the system.