Helminthiasis, a parasitic worm infection in sheep, remains a significant challenge for farmers in Sriharjo Village, Imogiri District, Bantul Regency.
This parasitic infection affects livestock’s health and reduces farmers’ productivity and welfare.
In response to this issue, a team of lecturers from Universitas Gadjah Mada, including Professor Soedarmanto Indarjulianto from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Professor Ambar Pertiwiningrum from the Faculty of Animal Science, and Professor Catur Sugiyanto from the Faculty of Economics and Business, collaborated with assistants and students to conduct a community service program in the village.
This initiative aimed to provide solutions for controlling parasitic worm infections in sheep.
The program, which ran from April to December 2024, was supported by UGM’s Directorate of Community Service through the Assisted Village Program scheme. It was carried out in collaboration with the livestock group in Sompok Hamlet, led by Anton.
The Impact of Parasitic Worm Infections
Parasitic worm infections in sheep weaken their immune systems, causing diarrhea, digestive issues, anemia, weight loss, and, in severe cases, death.
Professor Indarjulianto explained that these infections are common in Sriharjo, particularly during the rainy season when high humidity and poor environmental sanitation exacerbate the problem.
“If left untreated, this disease can spread widely and result in significant economic losses for farmers by reducing livestock productivity in terms of growth, meat quality, and milk yield,” he stated in a press release on Saturday (Nov. 30).
An integrated approach is essential to control this disease, including clinical and laboratory examinations, treatment of infected livestock, environmental management to disrupt the parasite’s life cycle, and farmer training on preventive measures.
The UGM team and students from the Small Animal Internal Medicine Program at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine have conducted clinical examinations of sheep and goats in Sompok Hamlet’s livestock group.
Infected livestock were diagnosed and treated, and farmers were educated on identifying clinical signs of worm infections and effective management practices, particularly waste handling.
Additionally, the team guided farmers in processing livestock manure into organic fertilizer. This fertilizer has been used to enrich crops in Sriharjo Village and is partially sold.
Through this initiative, the team aims to reduce the number of cases of worm infections in livestock, empowering farmers to manage infections independently in an environmentally friendly and cost-effective manner.
Local Farmers Appreciate UGM’s Assistance
Anton, the livestock group leader and head of the Taruna Tani Group in Sriharjo Village, expressed his gratitude for the support and treatment provided by UGM’s team, particularly in managing and controlling worm infections through manure processing.
“We hope the knowledge gained on handling worm infections will inspire farmers to be more enthusiastic about raising goats and sheep,” he said.
He also hoped that such community service activities could be sustained, enhancing livestock management quality.
“In the future, we aim to manage our farms more professionally and efficiently,” he added.
Author: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Afif