LPPM UB meeting and Situbondo Regional Officials Discuss the Sustainability of Doctoral Service Program in Merak Hamlet

Research and Community Service Institute (LPPM) Universitas Brawijaya (UB) promotes Doctoral Service activities in Merak Hamlet, Sumberwaru Village, Banyuputih District – Situbondo Regency. The activity involved Lecturers from across majors, including Dr. Anang Lastriyanto (Faculty of Agricultural Technology), Dr.Agr.Sc. Dimas Firmanda Al Riza (Faculty of Agricultural Technology), Anggun Trisnanto Hari Susilo, Ph.D. (Faculty of Social and Political Sciences), and Dr. Nanang Febrianto (Faculty of Animal Science).

Merak Hamlet is a remote area located near Baluran National Park. Electricity is only on at night and daily necessities are more expensive. This is because additional accommodation costs are required for delivery. The total population is approximately 846 people, most of whom work as cattle breeders. On the other hand, the total number of cows is three times the population, which is 2,600 heads.

However, the farming method used is still ancient, in the morning the farmer herds the cows into the forest and returns in the afternoon. This condition in addition to disturbing the ecosystem in Baluran National Park also causes pollution. Because thousands of cows urinate and defecate in any place. Whereas livestock waste if properly processed has the potential as biogas which can meet the energy needs of the community.

Therefore, the DM UB team chose Merak Hamlet as the location of service for the next five years. Based on the roadmap, the steps to be taken include community empowerment, initiation of stable or communal livestock, initiation of biogas technology, training in making concentrate feed, and training on good farming practices.

In order to strengthen this effort, the DM team under LPPM held a meeting with the Situbondo Regency Government, Friday (12/11/2021). Located at the Situbondo Regent’s Office, the event was attended by Dr. Ir. Bambang Susilo, MSc. Agr. (Chairman of LPPM) along with other leaders, Drs. H. Karna Suswandi, MM (Regent of Situbondo), Drs. H. Syaifullah, MM (Regional Secretary), and related Regional Apparatus Organizations (OPD). Such as agriculture, fisheries, plantations and the MSME people’s economy, the environment, tourism, and Bapeda. 

 The Situbondo Regional Government is committed to developing human resources and infrastructure in Merak Hamlet in order to strengthen tourism there. The Regent directly instructed that in 2022, Dusun Merak would be a development priority.

“Through this activity, it is hoped that we can develop Baluran National Park with sustainable principles, which do not directly contribute to preserving nature. On the other hand, the tourism industry can still continue through livestock cages and biogas, so that it can improve the regional economy.” said Dr. Bambang

After the hearing, the LPPM team and the DM team made a visit to review and discuss the program’s sustainability plan. In addition, he also inaugurated a biogas installation in Merak Hamlet. Because last October the DM team had assisted the community to process waste into biogas. Currently, several communities have used their biogas. (dta)