Availability, utilization as feed and chemical composition of vegetable by-products in urban and peri-urban areas of West Arsi zone and Sidama regional state

Abstract

This study was undertaken to assess the availability, utilization, as feed, and chemical composition of vegetable by-products in selected  urban and peri-urban areas of West Arsi zone and Sidama Regional State. A Multi-stage purposive sampling technique was used to select  study areas and a total of 306 respondents (102 each from Shashemene, Hawassa and Yirgalem) were randomly selected and  interviewed. Samples of the most prevalent and commonly utilized five vegetable by-products (VBPs) were analyzed for chemical  composition and subjected to in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD). The data collected were analyzed using two way analysis of  variance and Chi-square for quantitative and qualitative parameters, respectively. The results indicate that potato, cabbage, sweet potato,  tomato and carrot by-products were the most dominant VBPs available and utilized as livestock feed in the study area. Vegetable  by-products were fed to cattle, small ruminants and chicken solely after being processed. However, perishability, safety issues, lack of  storage facilities and conservation awareness were the major limitations of VBPs utilization, as feed. On the contrary, low market price,  high demand and feed quality, palatability and reduction of environmental pollution were the main opportunities for VBPs utilization, as  feed. The crude protein content of VBPs was within the range of 4.49-18.29%. The mean neutral detergent fiber content of the VBPs collected from different locations was less than 45%. The acid detergent fiber and acid detergent lignin contents were within the range of  10.08-35.08 and 1.23-9.76%, respectively. The IVDMD of VBPs was within the range of 78.73-89.45%, regardless of location. In conclusion,  vegetable by-products are widely available and utilized as an alternative feed resource within urban and peri-urban farming communities  of the study area. Feeding experiments which evaluate the performance of animals fed with these vegetable by-products  are recommended.