
Muh. Dino Prasetyo (Dino), a student from the Faculty of Animal Science at Universitas Gadjah Mada (Animal Science UGM), has been interning at a layer poultry farm owned by Crest Co. Ltd. in Japan since February 2025. Throughout his internship, he has gained valuable experiences, particularly in time discipline and precision in performing tasks.
At the beginning of his internship, Dino admitted that it took some time to adjust to the work rhythm alongside Japanese colleagues. He encountered many new things and gradually adapted to the environment.
“Time discipline and attention to detail are two traits I observed among Japanese workers. They are incredibly meticulous and calculated in everything they do,” said Dino on Thursday (Jul. 3).
One of the biggest challenges Dino faced early on was communication, particularly adjusting to the language used in his surroundings. Despite working alongside other foreigners from Brazil, Vietnam, Myanmar, and the Philippines, Japanese remained the primary language for daily communication.
“At first it was difficult, but over time I had to learn many new words, and eventually I became more accustomed to listening and speaking in Japanese,” shared Dino, who hails from Purwokerto.
Dino expressed admiration for how eager Japanese people are to exchange information. They were highly curious and frequently asked about Indonesia, its language, food, culture, and regions. During the internship, Dino also identified several practices worth adopting in Indonesia, such as the poultry diet system and technological applications.
“In Japan, dietary adjustments are made when the quality of the eggs begins to decline. Regarding technology, I believe Indonesia should adopt Japan’s egg distribution system. For example, here, each of the 10 poultry houses is interconnected in terms of egg distribution. Every unit has its own schedule, and all eggs are sent to a central collection point for sorting before being marketed,” explained Dino.
According to Dino, the technology used in the farm is quite advanced, facilitating various operations from feed and water distribution to automated temperature control and waste disposal. However, he and his team are still required to confirm and repair any system failures that occur.
“I think only a few layer poultry farms in Indonesia use closed-house and automated systems like the ones here,” he added.
Dino described his daily routine at Crest Co. Ltd., which starts at 7 a.m. and ends at 5:30 p.m. The distance from his dormitory to the workplace is within walking distance. Upon arriving at the farm, his responsibilities include checking feed and water, identifying dead chickens, inspecting equipment, ensuring proper air circulation, and, most importantly, overseeing the smooth distribution of eggs.
Other tasks include removing chicken waste, cleaning cages, maintaining machinery, administering vaccines, weighing chickens and eggs, and repairing any faulty tools or equipment. Before being entrusted with two poultry houses, each housing approximately 110,000 chickens, interns underwent a three-month training period under the guidance of experienced supervisors to ensure they were well-prepared for their responsibilities.
“Don’t be afraid to try and fail. Make the most of your time as a student to learn new things, build networks, and gain experience,” Dino advised.
Dino is one of four outstanding students from Animal Science UGM, selected to intern for one year at Crest Co., Ltd. in Japan. The other students are Taufik Nur Huda, Devara Dhian Alvioneta, and Puteri Khairunnisa. All four are members of the 2022 cohort. In Japan, Devara and Puteri are interning at a pig farm, while Taufik and Dino are placed at a layer poultry farm.
Reportage: Animal Science UGM/Satria
Author: Agung Nugroho
Photograph: Muh. Dino Prasetyo