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The
golden snail or kuhol used to be considered pest in the 32.1
million hectares of riceland in the country. But not anymore!
Researchers
from the Department of Agriculture in Region 1 (DA-1), in
their study, found that this “dreaded” mollusk
is a vital solution to the problem on high cost of feeds for
ducks.
The
study showed that the 50:50 ratio of shelled golden kuhol
and duck layer pellets has markedly reduced the feed cost
for producing eggs.
Results
showed that the golden kuhol reduced the cost on commercial
feeds by as much as 50%. Also, the ducks had better appetite
when given formulated ration mixed with 25% kuhol. The ration,
consisting of ground corn, rice bran, soybean oil meal, oyster
shell powder, meat, bone meal, and salt was made up of 16.93%
crude protein, 88.5% dry matter, and 14.36% ash.
The
researchers also attributed the good egg production performance
to proper breed selection, good laying house, care, and feeding
management of the flock.
The
economic prospects of the technology could be better understood
if all farmers join in the venture. Since farmers are burdened
on how to improve their rice harvest, they are also faced
with the problem of controlling this “dreaded”
mollusk that eats up to 75% of their total rice production.
Using this snail as feed is one solution. This means reducing
50% feed cost and increasing duck farming profitability.
DA-1
is one of the 17 agencies in Region 1 that comprise the Ilocos
Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium
(ILARRDEC). ILARRDEC headquarters is at the Mariano Marcos
State University (MMSU), Batac, Ilocos Norte. (Reynaldo E.
Andres, ILARRDEC)
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