Poverty alleviation and food security through improving the sweet potato-pig systems in Indonesia

1. Executive summary

In West Papua, Indonesia, which makes up the western part of the island of New Guinea, food shortages and malnutrition continue to be major problems, especially in the mountain areas where sweetpotato (SP) is the principal staple food. Sweetpotato is also the main feed source for pigs, which are raised throughout the island. Pigs are an integral part of the culture and political organization among many Papua tribes and pork is a significant protein source for local people and is in high demand as a traded commodity. As cash income becomes increasingly important in the two areas with the penetration of regional and national markets, pigs offer a good opportunity for income generation. However, the existing SP-pig systems exhibit several problems, notably low fertility rates and slow animal growth rates which may be caused by unbalanced and erratic feeding regimes and health problems. By adopting an integrated, interdisciplinary approach which is sensitive to the cultural role of these systems, it is proposed that technical interventions can be made both with novel SP germplasm and with pig-raising management which can improve food and feed productivity and thus impact positively on family nutrition and income.

As important and widespread as SP is in West Papua, it has been reported that the Dani people in the Baliem Valley of West Papua have not undertaken purposeful SP breeding and selection, even though other researchers have warned not to under-estimate the value of indigenous selection endeavors. Systematic on-site and on-farm SP breeding and selection are expected to increase food production for humans and pigs. Experimentation on improving the diet, feeding practices, disease management, and housing conditions are expected to increase pig health and growth rate without requiring extra inputs. These appropriate and relevant interventions are expected to lead to improvements in system performance, with benefits flowing to the SP-cultivating and pig-raising households. In addition, review of previous practices, assessment and documentation of the current practices, and improvement of this unique integrated system of human-SP-pig will be a significant contribution to the cultural heritage of the world.

Meanwhile, some of the action-based research has been and will continue to be tested in Vietnam where the systems show a similar interdependence between SP feed and pigs, but where more commercial orientation of production is found. Research trials in sweetpotato variety selection, root and vine fermentation to increase nutritional value, and pig-raising management have been on going in Vietnam with the same purpose of resulting in earlier maturity and higher income. The past and on-going lessons learned from Vietnam will be modified and adapted to West Papua to avoid re-inventing the wheel.

Collaborating researchers in Java, Indonesia include Dr. Jusuf, sweetpotato breeder of The Research Institute of Legume and Tuber Crops (Balitkabi) in Malang, Dr. Pius Ketaren, animal scientist of the Research Institute for Animal Production (Balitnak) in Ciawi. In West Papua the collaborating institutions include the Jayawijaya Livestock Office, Jayawijaya Department of Agriculture, and local missionary and church organizations.

The growth of pigs in the Baliem Valley faces constraints in lack of nutrition, unhygienic environmental conditions, and disease and parasite infestation. The current project is designed to address the first two constraints while the last constraint is too large to be included in this project. A separate, stand-alone, disease diagnosis and intervention project presents one likely direction for future research. This research should begin with histological and parasite examinations in order to determine the disease and parasite load of pigs of various ages. This diagnosis could provide sound scientific basis for designing further interventions to improve pig health.

Objective 1 - Socioeconomic Diagnostic Studies

- Data entry and processing of the data collected have been completed during this period.
- The processed data have been analysed to guide the technical activities.
- The second season of the time allocation, food and feed consumption study, and the pest and disease field survey has been conducted. The third season is currently underway.
- A pig fertility observation underway to verify/refute the data collected from the diagnostic studies.
- Qualitative interviews of and observations on the human-pig-SP systems by the project leader.

Objective 2 - Pig Trials

Feeding/water trial, a combined water/feeding trial was conducted June 23- Oct 23, 2002 at the Jayawijaya Livestock Station in Wamena. The purpose of the trial was to test the effects of fermented SP vines, the effects of water, and the combination effects on pig growth. However, these results were not conclusive due to the following reasons, thus no statistics was performed:
- large variation in initial weight
- water was mixed in with feed
- many of the pigs developed severe mange due to infestation with Sarcoptes scabiei

Follow-up separate water trial and feeding trials have been planned to test the effects of water and feed separately, with piglets of uniform weight.

Disease survey and trial and parasite powder trial

A trial was conducted to investigate the effects of administering parasite powder treatment on pig growth. The average initial weight of the untreated pigs weight (11.8 kg) was significantly higher than that of the treated pigs (9.8 kg), yet discounting the two dead pigs, the average monthly weight gain of the two treatments are the same (2.6 kg). A preliminary disease survey was designed based on three main activities. These included a series of post-mortems and collection of blood serum samples from a range of pigs. A total of 3 7 pigs (12 F, 25 M) were slaughtered. In general the majority of animals examined were relatively emaciated with few fat reserves in the subcutaneous tissues or in the omentum.

Outcomes to December 2003
Socio-political turmoil in West Papua hampered project activities in the first year. Work was undertaken on sweet potato selection in Java, Indonesia and in Vietnam. When work finally commenced in West Papua it involved an extensive exercise of data gathering, surveys and field observations, yielding much information about the animal and crop production systems and the socio-cultural and belief systems of Bailem Valley communities in West Papua.

Pig diseases and management emerged as a more significant factor than expected, and ACIAR provided extra funds to extend the surveys. The surveys showed that internal parasites were the most important problem for pigs. The project scientists therefore devised a management plan for pig production, incorporating some elements of the traditional 'laleken' system that had previously been used to manage rotational grazing and isolation of dung, but had been abandoned when wood for construction became scarce. A modified design is being considered for trialling in an extension operation.

In north and central Vietnam, where the sweet potato-pig raising system is an important component of the domestic economy, the project should increase household incomes through increased starch and protein yields in sweet potato and improved pig growth. Farmer-to-farmer extension has already started in Vietnam, involving farmer-trainers who have attended workshops and distribution of a manual that arose from the project.

The project is being extended in Indonesia (mainly West Papua) for a further two years. Vietnam has already fulfilled its project objectives.

Objective 1: A series of multi-location trials to collect data required for registration of seven new and superior clones of sweetpotato have commenced. Trials are also under way to test the production and nutrient value of Musan, the best local variety used for pigs in Papua. CIP is funding trials in North Sumatra, West Sumatra and Jambi Provence to supplement the registration trials funded by the project in Papua. The project will also fund trials in Bali and East Nusa Tengarra to test the new clones plus Musan for drought resistance and performance at other high altitude regions.

Objective 2: A number of modified diets have been developed and are being validated in a series of feeding trials. The diets are based on sweet potato tubers and vines supplemented with salt and chopped banana trunks, which is a valuable source of calcium and phosphorus and fibre. The first diet developed (Wamena #1 diet) was based on cooked sweetpotato tubers and vines and this is now being compared with two diets containing 33% of a mixture of ensilaged material made up of 85% fresh tubers, 15% fresh vines, 0.5% salt, fermented for 14 days. The ensilaged material (33%) has been added to diets, which contain either uncooked or cooked sweetpotato tubers (22%) and vines (33%), plus uncooked banana trunks (11%), salt (0.2%. Growth rates of parasite pigs fed these diets ranged from 160 to 250g/day compared with 15 to 60 g/day for parasite free pigs fed traditional diets. As analysis of all the diets has shown them to be deficient in protein, other protein sources are being investigated. These include local fish species, pasture grasses and fodder trees. The first species of fish investigated was Stelophorus sp., a small species of fish found naturally in waterways in the region. However, insufficient quantities of the fish could be produced to make its use viable. At the suggestion of local farmers, supported by scientists in SARDI's Aquatic Science Division, Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is being investigated as a possible food source for pigs.

Objective 3: Sow productivity was improved by modifying the management of sows following weaning. In a trial involving 20 sows, 80% sows managed under the modified husbandry system mated within 8 days of weaning, compared with only 40% for sows housed traditionally. The former also produced 83% more weaned pigs. Based on these data, the economic advantage of the modified system will enable groups of farmers or clans to maintain their own boar, rather than borrow a boar from other farmers or clans.
Trials designed to make further improvements in sow management were commenced towards the end of 2004. These include a comparison of feeding sows the diets based on ensilaged sweet potato tubers and vines and high protein pasture.

Objective 4: A modified husbandry system for growing pigs is also being designed and validated. Under this system, pigs are housed over night and allowed to forage pastures during the day. They also spend the first 30 minutes after release each morning in a special dunging area, designed to control parasites. The high protein pasture supplements the diets based on sweet potato tubers and vines. Confining pigs also prevents access to toxic plants, present in scrubland, and human and dog faeces, found in the traditional family compound. The number of pens required in the rotation, and the size of the pens (32m2 to 60m2 for 6 pigs) are still being evaluated. The three species of pasture grass being assessed are Sundaleka (Puerasia cephaloides) -17.4% crude protein; Wurikaka (Centrosema sp) - 15.53% crude protein; and Jirikpuruk (Calopogonium sp) -10.68%crude protein.

Objective 5: The amount of training undertaken has also increased during 2004. As well as formal training, a significant amount of "unofficial training" takes place during each visit to the project sites, as well as during more official meetings. With 15 villages now involved in the project, this will provide a strong network of knowledgeable farmers for the "farmer-to-farmer" training programmes that will operate during the final 6 months of the project.
More formal opportunities for training have also been provided to several farmers collaborating in the project, which has strengthened the project significantly. All the collaborating farmers have been trained in harvesting and planting sweet potato, preparing diets, feeding pigs, planting grasses and trees and designing and building lalekens. Several of the Indonesian scientists have also been given training in a number of areas. These include train-the-trainer and farmer-to-farmer training schemes operated in Vietnam and elsewhere in Indonesia, fish production in Java, and in the diagnosis of internal parasites.

A series of multi-location trials have been conducted across Indonesia to collect data required for registration of seven new clones of sweetpotato (SP) bred during the life of the project. The multiplication of planting material will be completed early in 2006, along with registration of the new clones and dissemination of the planting material.

Feeding trials are continuing to evaluate modified diets based on SP tubers and vines. The basic diet contains ensilaged SP vines and tubers supplemented with a range of locally grown crops and herbage to increase the protein content of the base diet. These include corn, three species of pasture grasses [Sundaleka (Puerasia cephaloides) Wurikaka (Centrosema sp) and Jirikpuruk (Calopogonium sp)] and two species of fodder trees [Dadap (Erythrina variegata), Gamal (Gliricidia sepium)], plus vegetables in season. All diets are supplemented with salt and chopped banana trunks. Parasite-free pigs fed these diets are growing 3 to 6 times faster than parasite-free pigs fed only on the traditional diet of raw SP tubers and vines.

The possibility of supplementing diets with fish, using Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), is being investigated, but these trials will not be completed until 2006.

A rotational foraging system, designed to control internal parasites and restrict the pig's access to toxic plants and human and dog faeces in the traditional family compound has been developed, but is relatively dependent on good seasonal rains. The pigs are housed overnight and allowed to forage during the day in small paddocks (lalekens) and it is planned to use the fodder trees for live fences.

A series of experiments aimed at improving reproductive performance in sows by improving nutrition, housing and management is continuing.

Training of collaborating farmers and Scientific and Technical staff from local institutions has also continued. All farmers have been trained in preparing diets, feeding pigs, ensilaging sweetpotato tubers and vines, planting and growing pastures and fodder tress, and examining dead pigs.

1 Results of the sweet potato experiments and future plans for improving
production
Three new clones of SP developed for human consumption have been registered and named by the Indonesian President and will be released nationally before the end of 2007.
Two improved clones developed for pigs have also been registered and will be released nationally.
2 Results of the nutrition experiments and diet development
In an initial village survey, recorded growth rates for parasite free pigs were from 15 to 66 g/day (48.2 13.1 g/day). During the same period, 40% of untreated pigs died, and growth rates for surviving pigs ranged from zero to 30g/day (18.7 12.3 g/day).
Nine diets based on SP roots and vines were developed and parasite-free pigs fed these diets recorded growth rates between 110 to 350 gm/day.
The best performing and most sustainable diets include:
o Wamena #1 diet: 56% cooked SP vines + 33% cooked SP storage roots + 11% cooked banana trunk + 0.5% salt
o Wamena #2 diet: 33% cooked SP-vines + 22% cooked SP storage roots + 34% ensilaged SP storage roots and vinesE + 11% cooked banana trunk.
o Wamena #3 diet: 33% raw SP-vines + 22% raw SP storage roots + 34% ensilaged SP storage roots and vinesE + 11% raw banana trunk.
o Wamena #6 diet: 50% cooked SP storage roots + 30% cooked SP-vines + 20% cooked fish internal organs (gill etc)
o Wamena #9 diet: Wamena #2 + 1kg boiled snails (ad lib)
Various combinations of ensilaged material can be produced:
o ESilage: contains 85 kg SP storage roots + 15 kg SP-vines + 0.5 kg salt fermented for 14 days with either sundeleka grass or dadap leaves replacing SP vines if desired.

Modified methods for pond fertilisation, which increase village fish production by more than 50%, have been developed to enable farmers to use the excess fish production in pig diets.

3 Development of modified husbandry, housing and management systems
A modified pig management and husbandry system, based on rotational foraging using small paddocks (lalekens) sown with high protein forage pasture (Sundaleka - Puerasia cephaloides), was designed to reduce the human and pig health risks identified in the disease survey (phase 1), and increase protein intake of pigs. Pigs are housed overnight, and given access to forage pasture in lalekens during the day. Pigs are rotated to new pasture when 50% of the foliage has been eaten. Prior to moving to the laleken, pigs are held in special "dunging areas" for 30 minutes each morning. This is to reduce contamination of pastures with parasite eggs. While the system is relatively dependent on good seasonal rains, using a "cut and carry" system for pasture, or fodder trees such as Dadap (Erythrina variegata), renders it more sustainable. Pigs managed under the system grew significantly faster (80% - P<0.05) than untreated pigs and remained relatively free of parasites for 3 months.

Sow productivity has also been improved by modifying the management of sows following weaning, as well as improving housing and nutrition. Conception rates were increased by 40% and pigs weaned/sow by 83%. Based on these increases, groups of farmers or clans can afford to maintain their own boar, rather than borrow a boar from other farmers or clans.

Two building designs, one for growing pigs and one for breeding sows and their progeny have been developed, validated and accepted by local farmers. Both designs appear to be economically viable.

4 Training projects completed to date
A number of training initiatives have been completed at village level, including a series of workshops for training farmers in sweet potato production, pig feeding and management, breeding and reproduction, examining dead pigs, housing and husbandry and fish production. The aim of the training workshops was to ensure that all the participating farmers benefited from all the project's outcomes and understood the reasons and rationale for change as well as the potential benefits.