By-product Originating from Artisan Distillers of Rice Alcohol in Northern Vietnam: Production, Use and Nutrient Value for Smallholder Pig Raising

The objective of this study was to investigate by-product production originating from artisan distillers of rice alcohol and its use as pig feed in three provinces (Hai Duong, Hung Yen and Bac Giang) of Northern Vietnam. A total of 120 rice alcohol producers classified by production scales (30 producers for Large-L, 45 producers for Medium-M and 45 producers for Small-S) were interviewed from January to August 2015. Additionally, sixty-three rice distiller’s by-product samples were collected from the study areas to determine their daily nutrient content according to one week storage time. The annual dry matter feedstuff production was estimated to 4.8, 3.0 and 2.1 tons per household for L, M and S scales, respectively (p<0.001). Swine herd size increased with the scale of household alcohol production (p<0.05). The proportion of rice distiller’s by-product in diet of swine lowered when turning from pregnant to lactating sows, and varied in fattening pigs. Rice distiller’s by-product was rich in high quality crude protein, copper and lactic acid but poor in dry matter. Its nutritive value remained stable over a week under ambient conditions. In conclusion, rice distiller’s by-product provides significant and stable amounts of nutrients in northern vietnamese pig production.