The Extension and Development Communication Master Program at the UGM Graduate School (S2 PKP) held a training on the production of livestock feed based on the potential of local resources in Banaran village, Playen, Gunung Kidul (July 16th). “This training is an initiative from the Graduate School to address the issue of livestock feed shortages (particularly for cattle) in the community. The shortage problem recurs especially during the dry season. As a result, many farmers are forced to sell their cattle in order to buy feed for the remaining ones,” said Dr. Ir. Siti Andarwati, S.Pt., M.P., IPM., ASEAN Eng., Head of the S2 PKP Program.
The issue of cattle feed shortages during the dry season and surplus during the rainy season has yet to be properly addressed. This situation prevents improvement of the farmers’ incomes and welfare. It is hoped that this problem can be resolved with the introduction of innovative cattle feed that can be stored for up to one year, added Dr. Siti Andarwati, familiarly known as Bu Andar.
This training activity is a collaboration of the S2 PKP program, UGM Faculty of Animal Science, BRIN, and the Margo Mulyo Playen livestock group. The output of this training is an innovative cattle feed that is ready to be tested by local farmers. Members of the livestock group welcomed and responded enthusiastically to the training on innovative cattle feed production, as expressed by Sabar, one of the training participants. (Suronokarti)