ABSTRACT

Sweet potato tops, especially leaves, are very rich in nutrients such as proteins, vitamins and minerals (Woolfe, 1992). Besides, they have amazing amounts of polyphenols, especially chlorogenic and isochlorogenic acids, which are anti-oxidants (Yamakawa, 2000). However, one of the constraints to the usage of large quantities of sweet potato foliage for forage, is that its availability is concentrated into one or two seasons of the year after harvest, which in general does not coincide with pasture scarcity (Tewe et al., 1998). Preservation as hay (dehydration) or silage may therefore be needed. The latter method is more practical in the humid tropics where quick drying in the field is not possible. Simple small silos can be made with discarded gunny bags, polyethylene sugar bags and related materials, all of which can be afforded by rural farmers in the tropics (СЩ 2000).