Sugar Cane for Livestock Feeding, Trinidad and Tobago. Terminal statement

Summary (En)SummaryThe objective of the project was to introduce new technologies to Trinidad and Tobago for livestock feeding based on sugar cane product diversification.The project established a farm site on both islands of Trinidad and Tobago, and equipped them with cane crushers and forage choppers. Another site was created at the Sugar Cane Feeds Centre to also be used as an extension and training unit.Four energy sources from sugar cane were evaluated for livestock production in the country. A pilot molasses-urea block plant was established at the Sugar Cane Feeds Centre, and a training manual prepared on this technology. The local design and manufacture of simple equipment for block making was initiated.Two technicians received two weeks of training in Colombia. Lectures and seminars were given by the project on the use of sugar cane for livestock feeding and on information systems. Field Days were also held on the use of sugar cane juice as livestock feed and on the project's `Sugar Cane Village'.Trichantera, a bush-like tree, was introduced as a protein source for pigs and ruminants, as was molasses fish-silage for pigs and Azolla filiculoides, a water fern, for ducks.The Sugar Cane Feeds Centre should continue to develop the `Sugar Cane Village' concept for sustainable livestock production. Molasses-urea block making should continue to be promoted, and a commercial development programme pursued involving the sugar and chemical industry.Molasses fish-silage should continue to be promoted. Feeding trials using Azolla filiculoides should continue, and those using Trichantera should commence. The use of fresh sun-dried coconuts should be promoted as an on-farm energy source for small ruminants.The liaison established by the project between the Sugar Cane Feeds Centre and the Agricultural Division of the Tobago House of Assembly should be maintained for the exchange of technical information and the promotion of the `sugar cane village' technology.A small follow-up national project should be pursued to support alternative uses of sugar cane for livestock production, and efforts should be made to encourage mixed- integrated farming systems for sugar cane farmers