The Potency of Traditional Market Vegetable Waste as Ruminant Feed in the Special Region of Yogyakarta

Abstract

The relatively high-volume of vegetable waste in the Special Region of Yogyakarta Province causes environmental problems. Although it contains high nutrients, vegetable waste potential as ruminant feed is yet optimally utilized due to the possible presence of heavy metals such as Pb, Cu, and Hg, which can reduce livestock productivity. This study aimed to determine the nutrients and heavy metals content of vegetable waste from 11 traditional markets in Yogyakarta. The results showed vegetable waste contains protein (>20%) and fiber (<30%). It was also noted that the heavy metal concentration is below the maximum tolerable limit for ruminant feed ingredients. The nutrient and heavy metal content showed no difference between Sleman District, Bantul District, and Jogja City. This study concludes that vegetable waste from traditional markets in the Special Region of Yogyakarta has prospective as ruminant feed due to its high nutrient content with a low level of heavy metal.