The Faculty of Animal Science UGM has developed an environmentally friendly feed supplement that can reduce methane gas produced by ruminants, such as cattle, goats and sheep.
Developers, Prof. Dr. Ir. Lies Mira Yusiati, SU. IPU, said methane gas was one of the causes of global warming that led to climate change, drought, and forest fire. High methane production will also lead to decreased cattle productivity.
She developed an appropriate technology to overcome the problem. The supplement called PRO-NIN BLOCK not only reduces methane gas production in livestock but also increases productivity in rumminants.
“The technology is expected to be implemented by cattle farmer groups,” she said on Thursday (3/10).
PRO-NIN BLOCK has been developed in Community Partnership Empowerment Program funded by the Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education. The supplement contains tannin, which is an active substance in plants to inhibit methane gas production in ruminants, such as teak leaves (Tectona grandis), calliandra (Calliandra calothyrsus), and mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni). These plants are processed so that they are easy to use and given to livestock.
Lies Mira Yusiati added that currently animal livestock has not been managed properly due to the lack of knowledge and technology. Most farmers in Indonesia still run the business traditionally.
“And so, the pollutant compounds from livestock is not well-managed, causing environmental pollution,” she said.
The technology has been applied in Ayo Angon farmer group in Ngalang village, Gedangsari district, Gunung Kidul regency. Young breeders are encouraged to be aware of how to run environmentally friendly farms which does not harm but benefits the breeders instead.
The group coordinator, Doni, expressed his excitement for the assistance provided by the Faculty of Animal Science. He said this can add insight into good livestock management, especially methane reduction issues so that the sector would not disadvantage the cattle and environment.
