Dairy Cattle Field School Officially Opened, Fapet UB and KAN Jabung Collaborate to Produce Superior Farmers

Jabung, May 10, 2025 — The Faculty of Animal Science, Universitas Brawijaya (Fapet UB), through the Dairy Animals Research Group, in cooperation with Koperasi Agro Niaga Jabung (KAN Jabung Syariah East Java), officially launched the 2025 Dairy Cattle Field School program. This program aims to enhance farmers’ capacity through theoretical and practical learning tailored to the needs of the modern dairy farming industry.

The opening ceremony was held at the KAN Jabung Hall and attended by academics, practitioners, farmers, and cooperative management. The Dean of the Faculty of Animal Science UB, Prof. Dr. Ir. Muhammad Halim Natsir, S.Pt., M.P., ASEAN Eng., officially inaugurated the event. In his speech, Prof. Halim emphasized the importance of vocational education based on applied research as a means to accelerate the transformation of the community livestock sector towards a more efficient and sustainable system.

“This activity is a concrete example of the university’s presence within the community. The knowledge developed in laboratories and classrooms must reach farmers’ barns to directly impact production improvement and their welfare,” said Prof. Halim.

The Field School Head and Chair of the Dairy Animals Research Group, Prof. Dr. Ir. Tri Eko Susilorini, M.P., ASEAN Eng., also delivered a speech. She stated that this program represents the research group’s commitment to supporting community livestock development through innovation and sustainable assistance.

Following the opening, a public lecture was given by Muchamad Muchlas, S.Pt., M.Pt., Ph.D., a researcher from the Dairy Animals Research Group. The lecture titled “Trends in the Dairy Cattle Industry in Indonesia and Abroad” covered developments in farming technology, global management systems, and strategies for adapting to climate change and market dynamics.

The Field School program is scheduled to take place over eight sessions. The curriculum includes feed management, reproduction, health, production recording, as well as hands-on practice in partner farmers’ farms. All materials are delivered by active lecturers and researchers from the Faculty of Animal Science UB.

Participants come from young farmers, students, and members of KAN Jabung who are eager to learn and develop. This program is expected to become a model for field education that can accelerate the transformation of dairy farming toward a more productive, efficient, and sustainable system.(dfh/tim)