Downstream in the agriculture and livestock sectors should also focus on effective management and marketing, enhancing the productivity and quality of agricultural outputs, and making a tangible contribution to society to improve farmers’ welfare.
This was highlighted in a workshop “Enhancing the Role of Kagama in Downstreaming Research Results and Community Service” on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in Room 201, TILC Building, UGM Vocational College.
The workshop, organized by UGM and UGM Alumni Family (Kagama), featured several speakers, including Dr. Wiratni, a lecturer at the UGM Faculty of Engineering (FT UGM); Dr. Sri Rahayoe, Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation, and Alumni of the UGM Faculty of Agricultural Technology (FTP UGM); Vita Krisnadewi, owner of Sinatria Farm; Kagama UMKM; and Sugiharto, a community-based development activist from Kagama South Tangerang.
Krisnadewi shared her insights on how to manage sheep farming in a modern way.
As the founder of Sinatria Farm with a strong academic background and experience, she emphasized the importance of collaboration between education and industry in developing the livestock sector in Indonesia.
“Downstream is not just about increasing products’ value, but also how we effectively manage and market livestock outputs,” she said.
In the context of livestock, downstream means not only producing animals but also creating end products with added value, such as meat, milk, or other processed products.
According to her, downstream is crucial to increase farmers’ incomes and create job opportunities.
Livestock processing must be done well to ensure the products compete.
“We need to educate farmers about the importance of processing and marketing,” she revealed.
As a member of Kagama, Krisnadewi is committed to building a supportive farming community.
She believes that forming a community can provide the necessary education and support to farmers, especially those just starting.
“We established Kagama Kambing Domba to assist friends who want to farm effectively. This is not just about livestock but also about sharing knowledge and experiences,” she stated.
Meanwhile, Dr. Sri Rahayoe mentioned that FTP UGM aims to be an internationally recognized center of excellence in the sustainable implementation of the tri-dharma (three pillars of higher education).
In practice, downstream involves collaboration with other sectors.
She highlighted one project, the Irrigation Water Management System (SIPASI), in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing and farmer communities.
“This project aims to modernize irrigation, improve water use efficiency, and reduce conflicts among farmers regarding water resources,” she explained.
In addition to the SIPASI project, FTP UGM is also developing initiatives for soybean commodities through the Smart Agro Enterprise Soybean (SAI KEDELAI) program.
This program integrates technology into soybean cultivation, including sensors to monitor weather conditions and fertilizer needs and efficient post-harvest processing systems.
“This innovation increases crop yields and empowers farmers to secure better prices,” she stated.
Through various downstream programs and innovations, FTP UGM demonstrates a solid commitment to creating sustainable solutions for Indonesian agriculture.
With a collaborative approach and the application of modern technology, FTP strives to enhance the productivity and quality of agricultural outputs while making a real contribution to society.
With optimism, she hopes their research results can be widely applied, providing competitive advantages and benefits for all involved.
Author: Lintang
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Lintang
Photos: Firsto & Freepik