SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 31st May. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Investigators from the Canary Islands Institute of Agricultural Research (ICIA), the Research Institute of Viands and Tropical Fruits of Cuba (INIVIT) and the University Without Borders Association (USF) are conducting a study to explore alternatives for animal feed by utilising new cassava varieties. The objective is to diversify livestock feed production by incorporating this versatile tuber.
This initiative also aims to reduce livestock input costs, a sector significantly impacted by the rise in grain prices resulting from the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, among other global conditions affecting livestock profitability. The project seeks sustainable alternatives to current agricultural practices to mitigate and counteract the effects of climate change.
Within the project framework that commenced in June 2023, ICIA replicates the tests conducted by INIVIT on using the underground part of cassava, processed into flour as a cereal substitute in animal feed, and the plant’s aerial part as forage.
To achieve this goal, the Canarian institute has imported 4,000 cuttings of four cassava varieties from central Cuba to test their adaptation and yield at the ICIA Farm El Pico in Tejina (Tenerife). The aim is to evaluate the viability and performance of these varieties in feeding local livestock in the Canary archipelago. The Ministry provided this information in a statement.
The study will focus on the agronomic suitability, performance, economic viability for feed production, and the formulation of balanced diets incorporating cassava and other ingredients.
Palatability and intake tests will be conducted on various species, evaluating the final livestock products such as milk, cheese, meat, and eggs.
Cuban specialists, experienced in managing these varieties, will support the different stages of the process.
ICIA President, Janira Gutiérrez, highlighted that cultivating cassava in the Canary Islands will generate valuable insights into more sustainable and viable animal feed alternatives for the local primary sector. This could lead to the creation of a ‘kilometer 0’ product that can be sustainably integrated into animal feed. She emphasised that diversification is a crucial strategy for managing risks in agricultural production within small systems like the archipelago, enabling satisfactory productivity levels even under adverse conditions.
“Furthermore, these initiatives foster cooperation in scientific research, knowledge exchange, and technological advancement in agricultural matters, benefiting all parties involved,” she added.
THE STUDY WILL CONTINUE UNTIL 2025
The study is set to run until 2025, with the evaluation of results across different local livestock species. By the end of 2024, initial findings on crop yield and agronomic management will be accessible.
This project is enriched by INIVIT’s work on high-production, quality, and resistant cassava varieties, its advocacy and guidance for cultivation for human and animal consumption, and its contributions to the processing industry.
INIVIT’s expertise in this field, both within and outside the country, alongside its application of research outcomes in the industry, combined with ICIA’s vast experience in applied research in plant production, animal husbandry, pastures, and forage, make this collaboration significantly robust.
In December, the Consul General of Cuba in the Canary Islands, Elsa Agramonte, visited ICIA’s El Pico Farm where the project is underway. The visit included the participation of Narvay Quintero, the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food Sovereignty of the Government of the Canary Islands, Janira Gutiérrez, president of ICIA, Inma González, vice-rector of Internationalization and Cooperation at the University of La Laguna (ULL), and researchers involved in the programme.
Additionally, in April, researchers from ICIA and USF travelled to Cuba for various work meetings, gaining first-hand insight into the research and studies conducted at INIVIT on cassava and other reserve tubers and roots.
