Exploring the Utilization of Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas) in Sustainable Animal Agriculture

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) is recognized as a sustainable, nutrient-rich feed resource for livestock and is particularly important in areas with feed scarcity. This literature review examines its nutritional composition, processing technologies, and application in animal diets, highlighting benefits such as improved animal growth performance and health. The review addresses anti-nutritional factors and processing mechanisms to reduce their impact, promoting safe utilization in livestock. The review also emphasizes the socioeconomic advantages for smallholder farmers in developing countries who use sweet potato as an affordable resource. Sweet potato roots and vines can serve as an effective and local energy source, potentially replacing maize in animal diets. The inclusion of 10–30% in pig and poultry diets and up to 20–40% in ruminant diets may maintain or enhance growth and feed efficiency while reducing dependence on cereal grains. While sweet potato shows promise due to its energy-rich roots and the nutrient content of its vines and leaves, its high moisture content and anti-nutritional factors require proper processing methods. It was found that sweet potato-based diets can effectively support growth and production in ruminants and non-ruminants, without compromising product quality when inclusion levels are optimized. However, limitations in research standardization impede large-scale adoption. Sweet potato is, therefore, positioned as a viable feed alternative that could sustainably enhance livestock productivity in developing regions.