Banana peels are widely used by smallholders as supplementary feeds for cattle and small ruminants in the tropics (Onwuka et al., 1997; Happi Emaga et al., 2011). Their nutritive value for ruminants is estimated to be similar to that of cassava peels or citrus peels. Green peels contain more metabolizable energy than ripe peels. The study of these variations and of the potential effects of the changes in tannin content during ripening requires further research (Happi Emaga et al., 2011).

Cattle

Dairy cows fed up to 21 kg of fresh ripe banana peels increased milk production (Dormont et al., 1998). In grass-fed zebus, 15 to 30 % (on diet DM) banala peels were highly palatable and increased weight gain significantly without causing health problems, but banana supplementation was not cost-effective (Hernan Botero et al., 2000).

Goats

In goats, dry ripe plantain peels can fully replace maize grain without adverse effects on growth and animal performance, and were found an economical source of carbohydrates (Aregheore, 1998). Dairy goats fed a basal diet of banana peels supplemented with a legume forage performed adequately though butterfat and milk protein were lower than for diets based on maize leaves or Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) (Nambi et al., 2001).