Forage Feed Laboratory Team Integrates Koro Benguk Plants with Citrus Plantations for Forage Animal Feed

The biggest cost component in the livestock business is feed which reaches up to 80%. So the utilization and development of local feed resources need to be explored and reviewed again. One of them is the leguminous plant which has been known by the public for a long time.

A lecturer interested in fodder nutrition, concentration of forage, Faculty of Animal Science, Universitas Brawijaya (Fapet UB) conducts community service for citrus farmers who also own livestock in Gading Kulon Village. The activity was themed “Integration of Koro Benguk Plants (Mucuna pruriens) with Citrus Plantations”, chaired by Rini Dwi Wahyuni, M.Sc. Members of Prof. Ifar Subagyo, Dr. Hermanto, Dr. Nurul Siti Kamaliyah, and Artharini Irsyammawati, M.P.

According to Rini,Leguminosae can be grown as hedges and in bare areas under citrus fields. Because legume plants can also function as soil fertilizer, which plays a role in absorbing nitrogen (N) from the air and old leaves. So it can be a source of organic matter. This view was reinforced by Ifar who stated that legumes are an important component in organic farming because they can help fertilize the soil.

“Maybe the results cannot be enjoyed now, or even one or two years from now. However, to maintain the quality of the soil, this effort must be started immediately.” said Ifar

Meanwhile bKoro benguk seeds are also very potential as a protein source to replace soybeans in animal feed. Hermanto said, the crude protein (PK) content of koro benguk ranged from 23-34%, almost the same as soybean PK. Koro benguk is one of the legumes that is relatively ‘stubborn’, able to live in nutrient-poor, dry soil even without special tillage.

“From the results of the proximate analysis, it was found that benguk koro integrated with citrus fields had a PK of 32%.” Hermanto said

Farmers’ enthusiasm was quite good, participants actively asked questions and shared experiences. Although it is still relatively new, farmers want to plant leguminous plants not only in citrus areas but also to utilize the land around the forest.

“We are hope in the future, the campus can continue to work together to develop local resources by utilizing increasingly limited land and making farmers partners to move forward together.” concluded Hermanto (tim/dta)