Indonesia is one of the countries that imports alfalfa forage (Medicago sativa L.) for livestock.
According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Indonesia, in 2023, alfalfa imports reached 20.6 million tons with an import value exceeding IDR 142 billion.
The domestic livestock sector’s high dependence on imported alfalfa remains a serious challenge. Some dairy cattle industry companies require at least 300 tons of alfalfa feed in the form of hay or preserved feed every month.
Professor Bambang Suwignyo at the UGM Faculty of Animal Science (Animal Science UGM) stated that the high dependency on imported alfalfa for dairy cattle feed needs to be reduced.
The development of tropical alfalfa cultivation could serve as an alternative high-quality forage feed with long-term potential to partially replace the need for imported alfalfa.
“Tropical alfalfa production could be the solution to reducing import dependence,” he said on Monday (Mar. 17).
This program, a collaboration between UGM and the Kulonprogo Regency Government, successfully established a 1-hectare alfalfa demonstration plot.
He mentioned that alfalfa grows well, with fresh yields ranging from 10 to 18 tons/ha. Moreover, the tropical alfalfa variety, recognized as an Indonesian germplasm under the name Kacang Ratu BW, has been successfully cultivated.
“We’ve succeeded in cultivating this tropical alfalfa,” he stated.
Not only in cultivation but in terms of its advantages, Professor Suwignyo explained that this feed could increase the protein content of livestock feed by an average of 10% to 15%, directly impacting livestock productivity and milk production.
“Tropical alfalfa is not only viable for cultivation in Indonesia but also capable of meeting livestock feed needs independently,” he explained.
He further stated that cultivating tropical alfalfa forage is a strategic step to reduce import dependency and improve national food security.
After testing with Etawa goats, an evaluation over four months showed an increase in milk production by around 20 percent and a weight increase of up to 15 percent.
“Feed costs were also reduced by up to 30 percent thanks to the use of agricultural waste as an alternative feed,” he explained.
This community service program integrates feed management and a sustainable agricultural system to create a sustainable production chain.
One of its main focuses is using superior forage feed, namely tropical alfalfa (Kacang Ratu BW), which is expected to reduce alfalfa import dependency in the long term.
“We aim to enhance farmers’ knowledge and skills in managing PE goats, particularly in feed management and milk production,” he concluded.
Report by: Animal Science UGM/Satria
Author: Agung Nugroho
Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya
Image: Freepik.com