Dissertation of Neni Widaningsih, S.Pt.,MP: Sustainability of Swamp Buffalo Development in South Kalimantan Swamp

buffalo is one of South Kalimantan’s germplasm which is designated as a wealth of local livestock genetic resources according to the Decree of the Minister of Agriculture Number 2844/Kpts/LB.430/8 /2012. On the other hand, these livestock play an important role in the socio-economic life of livestock. This is because it can be used as meat and milk livestock, life savings for farmers, fertilizers and industrial raw materials from the resulting manure, as well as as a farmer’s auxiliary workforce. The advantage of swamp buffalo is that it is easy to care for and adaptable even with low quality feed. 

The South Kalimantan agro-ecosystem is very suitable for the development of swamp buffalo livestock because it has a swamp area of ​​70,842.43 Ha. Especially North Hulu Sungai Regency which is located in a swamp area, so it has great potential for the development of the livestock business. However, the fact is that the development of the population and production of swamp buffalo in South Kalimantan from 2010-2020 has actually decreased by 45.22%. 

This condition has an impact on the sustainability of the development of swamp buffalo in South Kalimantan. So that research is needed to analyze the level of business sustainability, identify the key determinants of business continuity, and formulate policies and scenarios for the development of sustainable swamp buffalo livestock business in Hulu Sungai Utara Regency. 

This opinion was expressed by a lecturer at the Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Animal Husbandry, University of Kalimantan, Muhammad Arsyad Al Banjari Banjarmasin, Neni Widaningsih, S.Pt., MP. He conducted research that examined six factors of sustainability in the development of swamp buffalo livestock business. Among them are ecological dimensions, economic dimensions, social and cultural dimensions, technological and infrastructure dimensions, legal and institutional dimensions, and information systems dimensions. 

“These factors can be explained comprehensively and produced a model for the sustainability of swamp buffalo farming that is suitable in South Kalimantan Province, especially in Hulu Sungai Utara Regency.” said Neni

Based on research results, the key factors that determine the sustainability of the swamp buffalo business in Hulu Sungai Utara are the quality of the loops, the availability of final disposal sites, the distance to the business location, the profit, the scale of the number of livestock sold/year, the availability of markets for processed products, the role of the community. , counseling frequency, conflict potential, extension institutions, grazing zoning regulations, output institutions, waste management technology, availability of facilities and infrastructure, product processing technology, internet knowledge, digital transactions and availability of marketing information systems.

“Based on the results of this research, I hope that the government as a policy maker can pay special attention to the development of this swamp buffalo livestock business. While the main model scenarios that can be implemented are the availability of infrastructure, internet knowledge, frequency of counseling, knowledge of digital transactions, and waste management technology.” he concluded

that Neni was listed as a student of the Doctoral Program in Animal Science at the Faculty of Animal Science Universitas Brawijaya (Fapet UB). Research on swamp buffalo has been tested in an open dissertation examination to obtain a Doctoral degree (Dr.), Friday (6/1/2023). (dta)