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To support national food security and the government’s initiative on free nutritious meals, Indonesia is enhancing its dairy livestock sector through improved human capacity and science-based sustainable practices. In response to these needs, the Australia Awards in Indonesia organized a short course titled “Pasture, Feed and Water Management Practices to Improve Dairy Livestock Productivity”, with Politeknik Negeri Jember (Polije) actively participating.
One standout participant in this program was Ir. Agus Hadi Prayitno, S.Pt., M.Sc., IPM, a lecturer in Polije’s Department of Animal Husbandry. Agus Hadi contributed a project titled “Enhancing Student Competence through Strengthening Learning Materials on Forage and Dairy Livestock Production”, aimed at enriching academic content to better equip graduates with practical, field-relevant skills.
The short course began with a pre-course workshop in Malang, bringing together professionals from diverse backgrounds. Participants exchanged experiences, built strategic networks, and discussed solutions for pressing challenges within Indonesia’s livestock sector—from limited feed availability to fluctuating milk prices and sustainability concerns.
Australia’s top experts—Dr. Ben Mullen and Dr. Dave Barber—led comprehensive sessions covering the evolution of Australian dairy farming, strategies for sustainable pasture management, nutrient-based feeding techniques, and water use efficiency. These materials offered valuable insights for adapting best practices to the Indonesian context.
An immersive field visit to the Greenfields Wlingi Dairy Farm, a modern dairy operation, allowed participants to observe innovative practices firsthand. Guided by Achmad Backtiar, they learned about breed selection, ration formulation, and waste management—insights that Agus Hadi described as “eye-opening,” emphasizing the vital role of innovation and efficiency in overcoming industry challenges.
This course not only enriched participants’ technical knowledge but also fostered a spirit of collaboration to transform Indonesia’s dairy sector. The program’s next phase includes a visit to Griffith University in Australia scheduled for July 2025, aimed at further building global expertise and institutional linkage.
Agus Hadi’s participation sets a powerful example of how higher education institutions can catalyze sectoral innovation. “Learning, sharing, and innovating must be our collective drive. Only then can we ensure a sustainable, globally competitive future for Indonesia’s dairy farming industry,” he affirmed.
Such programs hold great promise for scaling up impact across the nation. By integrating scientific knowledge, international collaboration, and enhanced teaching materials, Indonesia’s dairy sector is taking concrete steps toward modernization and resilience.