Tri Melasari, Director of Feed at the Directorate General of Livestock and Animal Health, Ministry of Agriculture, Republic of Indonesia, has successfully earned her doctoral degree from the Faculty of Animal Science, Universitas Gadjah Mada (Animal Science UGM).
She achieved the distinction through her dissertation titled Effectiveness of Camara Nusantara Livestock Vessel and Implementation of Animal Welfare Principles in Cattle Distribution in Indonesia, which she defended on Oct. 25 at UGM.
In her open examination, the doctoral candidate was declared to have graduated cum laude with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.99, completing her studies in two years, seven months, and seventeen days.
Through her dissertation, she examined the importance of livestock-specific sea transportation in facilitating inter-island cattle distribution while ensuring the implementation of animal welfare principles.
“The research findings show that the Camara Nusantara livestock vessel plays a significant role in reducing price disparities between producing and consuming regions. Although price volatility has not been fully controlled, the vessel’s operation has proven effective in maintaining stable cattle distribution across regions,” said Tri Melasari.
From an animal welfare perspective, she noted that the Camara Nusantara vessel has met high standards, as indicated by the relatively low average body weight loss of transported cattle, at only 6.27 percent, significantly lower than that of conventional transportation methods.
Contributing factors include sufficient feed and water availability, adequate ventilation, and appropriate livestock density management. Economically, the cost-benefit ratio analysis demonstrated the vessel’s financial feasibility, with a value of 1.243.
“The presence of these livestock vessels has also spurred the growth of the beef cattle industry in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), expanded market access, and improved farmers’ welfare,” she explained.
The Director General of Livestock and Animal Health, Dr. Agung Suganda, who attended the open examination, expressed hope that the collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Transportation regarding the operation of the Camara Nusantara livestock vessels would continue for existing routes.
He also encouraged the opening of new routes to accommodate the growing demand for livestock transport.
“Indonesia, as an archipelagic country, requires an efficient maritime transport system. Therefore, in addition to technical standard operating procedures, we must also consider a distribution model that enhances efficiency,” he stated.
Dr. Suganda further hoped that Tri Melasari’s dissertation would inspire greater private sector participation in providing livestock transport vessels in addition to government initiatives. At the ASEAN level, he noted, Indonesia remains the only country capable of shipping live chickens from Bintan to Singapore using privately operated livestock vessels.
“The success rate and animal welfare level have been excellent during an eight-hour shipment; only one chicken died. This model should continue to be encouraged, including for ruminant livestock, both large and small,” he said.
Reporter: Animal Science UGM/Satria
Author: Agung Nugroho
Post-editor: Salma
Photographer: Margiyono