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Cuban researchers and scientists are working to improve national pig production through a new feeding system based on locally produced feed. The initiative will contribute to boost food production and to save money on imports of grain and cereals while promoting efficiency and economic sustainability.

Havana.- Cuban researchers and scientists are working to improve national pig production through a new feeding system based on locally produced feed. The initiative will contribute to boost food production and to save money on imports of grain and cereals while promoting efficiency and economic sustainability.

Specialist in veterinary sciences, Carmen Maria Mederos, working at the Pig Research Institute (IIP), spoke about the importance of the innovative manufacturing techniques for low to medium scale production of pig feeds. Because they prioritize the use of local products, the new feeding techniques allow saving money on imports, thus contributing to national economic growth.

Carmen Maria Mederos added that the new methods, developed by researchers and experts all over Cuba, have boosted pig meat production by 4.6 percent over the last decade.

Under the new eating regime, pigs are fed on various types of food thus getting all the vital nutrients they need to grow healthy. Other advantages are improved reproduction capacities, stronger immunological systems and animal welfare in general, the specialist continued.

Locally produced food additives include sugar cane juice; sugar cane honey; root vegetables; roots; foliage; forage; palm tree fruit; liquid feed; fish, soy, sunflower and peanut flour; torula yeast; rice powder; corn flour; manioc; sweet potato; banana and sorghum.

Carmen Maria Mederos, who is also president of the Technical Council of Cuba’s Pig Farmers Association (SCP), said that they are getting ready for country-wide implementation of the strategy, with a focus on further reducing imports.

Addressing the 5th International Seminar on Tropical Pig Farming 2012 that took place in Havana, Carmen spoke highly of the progress made in training Cuban pig farmers to use the new feeding system.

Sponsoring the event was the IIP, the Pig Production Group (GRUPOR) and the SCP. The meeting, focused on improving sustainability in the pig farming sector, was attended by some 170 delegates, experts, executives and academics from countries such as Germany, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Spain, Mexico, Poland, Uruguay and Venezuela. Topics on the agenda included alternative and sustainable production methods and small-scale systems of pig farming.