Banana peels have high (over 75 percent) moisture content, which help animals to stay hydrated.
They are a good source of minerals, especially potassium and sodium, and have a fibre content of about 30% compared to the fibre content of around 45% in most grass species.
This gives the peels an improved digestibility and subsequently an elevated intake compared to those of grasses.
They also contain various types of vitamins and are extremely rich in starch.
Banana peels can be ensiled alone or in combination with forages such as sweet potato vines. The basic principles of silage made from banana peels are the same as for sweet potato vines silage.
Thus, the peels should be kept under anaerobic conditions and remain in airtight storage to encourage lactic acid fermentation where the free sugars are converted to lactic acid, which lowers the pH and inhibits pH-sensitive microorganisms to spoil the silage.
Ensiling banana peels with sweet potato vines
STEP 1: Wilt clean (free from polythene materials) banana peels under sunshine for about 2 hours to reduce moisture content.
STEP 2: Chop sweet potato vines into small pieces of about 3 cm length.
STEP 3: Wilt chopped sweet potato vines under sunshine for about 3 hours.
STEP 4: Mix banana peels with sweet potato vines in a ratio of 1 bag of banana peels and 2 bags of sweet potato vines.
STEP 5: Continue to follow the steps described under sweet potato vine silage production. https://www.harvestmoney.co.ug/feeding-pigs-on-potato-vine-silage/
Compiled By Dr Jolly Kabirizi
