IPB University Student Innovation, Palm Fronds for Animal Feed in the Dry Season

Indonesia has two seasons namely the rainy and dry seasons. These two seasons have had an impact on a number of employment sectors. One of them is the livestock sector. In the dry season, most farmers in Indonesia often experience problems related to feeding their livestock. Regions that experience these problems are areas that experience drought and do not have fertile land around it. To overcome this problem, IPB University students initiated a solution for animal feed.

IPB University students consisting of Ananda Putri, Enita Indah, Ika Jenri, and Farisky Adi Nugroho made a product from palm fronds as animal feed. This feed product is in the form of processed palm fronds mixed with indigofera plants which are formed into pellets. This processed food is a Student Creativity Program in Entrepreneurship (PKM-K) with the title “Pellet Sandiago (Palm Oil Pellet and Indigofera sp): Special Feed Solution in the Dry Season” under the guidance of IPB lecturers, Prof. Dr. Ir. Nahrowi, M.Sc.

“In Indonesia there are still many droughts during the dry season, so farmers cannot find green grass during the season. Therefore, the idea arose to make this feed from palm fronds because Indonesia has many oil palm trees that have not been processed properly,” said Ananda as Chair of the Sandiago Pellet Team.

In order to enrich the nutrients from the palm fronds, indigofera plants are added which have high protein content. The manufacturing process is carried out starting with chopping the palm fronds and indigophera, then drying it in the sun for a period of about one week and then using the machine. After milling, the palm frond and indigofera are mixed with the adhesive and the last step is the pelleting process.

“So far, the target of our products is small farmers and large industries. Then, our sales system is done by direct selling to farmers at a price of Rp. 3,000 per kilogram,” Ananda added.

The main ingredients of this product are palm fronds which are used because of their availability throughout the year and their production is quite abundant in Indonesia. In addition, palm fronds have a high energy source for livestock. That way, Pellet Sandiago products are expected to help farmers who have difficulty finding food when the dry season arrives. “In addition, this product is expected to become an innovation and new feed in the field of animal husbandry to meet the needs of livestock,” Ananda concluded. (RYS)