UNAIR NEWS – Enhancing livestock productivity is a collective responsibility shared between farmers and academics. Under the initiative “Healthy Livestock, Happy Livestock,” students from UNAIR‘s BBK 3 program in Gombengsari Village, Kalipuro Sub-district, Banyuwangi Regency, organized a public discussion for knowledge exchange between the community and students on livestock nutrition for promoting healthy and good-quality livestock. Discussion and livestock data collection have become joint priorities in this focus area.
Collaborative discussion
Cheisa Alfi Yudha, a student from the Veterinary Medicine Program at the Faculty of Health Sciences, Medicine, and Natural Sciences (FIKKIA) UNAIR, along with his BBK 3 UNAIR peers, invited the farming group from Gombengsari Village for a discussion on Saturday, Jan 13, 2024. The discussion supported the exchange of knowledge and positive experiences between the locals and students.
“This program involves a discussion between students who, to some extent, theoretically understand the sector and farmers who have been involved in livestock farming for years,” he said during the event at Secretariat of the Advanced Waru Sumber Agricultural Community.
Focus on nutrition improvement and livestock data collection
Livestock nutrition is a primary factor influencing productivity in terms of feed consumption. Cheisa mentioned that the forum served as a platform to discuss the role of concentrates in livestock nutrition. Good livestock concentrates should contain balanced nutrients such as protein, energy, fiber, fat, vitamins, and minerals. Moreover, high palatability, influenced by texture, color, aroma, and taste, is crucial for quality concentrates.
In line with nutrition for individual livestock, recording data as the primary record (database) for the farming group in Gombengsari Village is also essential. The data collection for farmers in Gombengsari Village took place from Thursday, Jan 14 – Jan 31, 2024.
“Basic data, starting from the farmers’ identities, types, and the number of livestock, are the targets for data recording,” he explained.
The discussion covered improving farmers’ understanding of healthy livestock practices, including implementing proper livestock health management techniques and selecting suitable feed. There was a better awareness of the importance of time efficiency in farming. Hopefully, collaboration among farmers can be fostered.
“We hope our presence contributes positively to the welfare of farmers and the overall conditions of livestock in the community,” he expressed.
Author: Azhar Burhanuddin
Editor: Feri Fenoria
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