The UGM Faculty of Animal Sciences and the Indonesian Army Territorial Forces Command (Pusterad) are joining forces to introduce and advance sheep farming among military personnel to bolster national food security.
This collaborative effort was formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Faculty of Animal Sciences, the National Resilience and Development Forum (Forhannas), and Pusterad on Saturday (Jan. 27) at UGM.
In a press release shared with journalists on Tuesday (Jan. 30), Professor Budi Guntoro, the Dean of the Faculty of Animal Sciences, expressed eagerness to support this initiative from the Indonesian Army.
He highlighted the importance of facilitating knowledge exchange, resource mobilization, market access, and cultivating mutually beneficial partnerships to bolster sustainable development and fortify food security.
“We commend and fully support the Indonesian Army’s efforts to promote animal protein sources, such as meat, milk, and eggs, to combat stunting. This is in line with our ongoing endeavors to innovate in animal husbandry, aiming to elevate animal protein production across Indonesia,” he elaborated.
The dean emphasized that by introducing sheep farming among military personnel, individuals can indirectly be empowered to become self-reliant entrepreneurs and catalysts for positive change, generating tangible socio-economic advantages for society.
“This initiative includes fostering job creation, income enhancement, ensuring food security, and fostering rural development, thereby enhancing national resilience and social cohesion,” he added.
For the dean, the initiative to introduce sheep farming programs to Indonesian Army personnel underscores the Faculty of Animal Sciences’s commitment to disseminating knowledge across diverse segments of society while upholding values of unity, resilience, and unwavering dedication to the nation.
Brigadier General Anan Nurakhman, the Chief of Staff of Pusterad, affirmed the Indonesian Army’s steadfast commitment to enhancing societal welfare and promoting self-sufficiency, particularly in food security.
He recognized the agricultural sector’s potential in sheep farming to empower soldiers and fortify the nation’s resilience in confronting global food crises.
“Through strategic integration of sheep farming, we aim to instill values of self-reliance, entrepreneurship, and social responsibility among our soldiers while simultaneously contributing to societal welfare and Indonesia’s national resilience,” he emphasized.
Brigadier General Anan Nurakhman clarified that the initiative to enhance the economic self-reliance of army personnel is not intended for personal or individual business pursuits, as outlined in Article 39 of Law Number 34 of 2004 concerning the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI). Instead, he advocated for developing social entrepreneurship geared towards societal welfare.
“In essence, our mission is to uplift the lives of soldiers alongside the broader community,” he concluded.
Author: Prisil
Editor: Gusti Grehenson