Farms in Indonesia are mostly cultivated in rural areas by farmers or breeders. The livestock that is kept includes cows, bulls, goats, and sheep, while for poultry there are free-range chicken, duck, and goose. There is a common problem in animal breeding, which is nutrient deficiencies and parasites. One of the deficient nutrients is protein. Meanwhile, the dominant parasites in goats and sheep are Haemonchus contortus and Coccidia worms.
To address these problems, the Faculty of Animal Husbandry team joining in the Independent Village Development-Based Community Service coordinated by Prof. Dr. Ir. Kustantinah, DEA, and Insani Hubi Zulfa, S.Pt., M.Sc. from Veterinary Department of Vocational School UGM, along with students of Animal Science UGM and D3 Veterinary Department UGM, have carried out a community service to utilize natural anthelmintics as a practical application of research results.
Kustantinah stated the research conducted at Animal Food Sciences Lab, Animal Nutrition and Fodder Department, Faculty of Animal Science UGM, included the development of Natural Anthelmintics to increase livestock productivity using Indonesian tropical plants.
“Anthelmintics is often called anti-worm, while Natural Anthelmintics refer to anti-worm drugs derived from plants rather than chemicals,” explained Kustantinah on Thursday (10/18).
The research on fodder plants such as cassava leaves, jackfruit leaves, banyan leaves, Hibiscus tiliaceus leaves, vegetable hummingbird leaves, and calliandra leaves, discovered an active substance called Tannin within. Tannin may offer antiparasitic properties (anti-worm and anti-coccidia).
With this technology, according to Kustantinah, the provision of fodder plants as Natural Anthelmintics means feeding animals with antiparasitic drugs (worm and coccidia). It has been tried by Gama Ngudi Lestari Farmer Women Group located at Banyusoca Village, Playen District, Gunungkidul Regency.
“From now on, it is hoped that farmers do not have to buy anti-worm drugs when their goats are infected with intestinal worms. They can give a worm treatment only with cassava leaves.”
On the other hand, cages were repaired to drop the manures and make the cages cleaner. This is expected to remove parasites and improve livestock productivity.