Helping Farmers in Central Lampung, IPB University KKNT Innovation Students Create Alternative Feed Program from Cassava Leaves
Students of IPB University’s Innovation Real-Thematic Work Lecture provide assistance in developing alternative feed from cassava leaves for farmers in Terbanggi Besar Village and Karang Endah Village, Central Lampung.
The program aims to empower farmers by providing easily accessible feed alternatives. Cassava leaves were chosen due to their abundant availability and good nutritional value for livestock such as cattle and poultry.
Muhammad Daffa Az-Zubayr Loji, a student of KKNT Innovation, revealed that this program is part of IPB University’s efforts to utilize science and technology to solve problems in the community and improve the quality of life of farmers.
The agriculture and livestock sectors, he said, are interrelated. He said that unused agricultural waste can be utilized as highly nutritious animal feed.
“We can utilize agricultural waste such as post-harvest cassava leaves as feed for livestock. By utilizing this agricultural waste, it is hoped that the availability of animal feed in Terbanggi Besar Village can be sustainable,” he said.
The IPB University student explained, to provide quality animal feed, cassava leaves are processed into silage first. According to him, making silage is easy to do because silage is an animal food that has a high water content and is processed through a fermentation process.
Deddy Kristianto, an extension officer at the Central Lampung Plantation, Livestock and Fisheries Ministry, thanked the IPB University student group for their inspiring assistance to farmers in terms of knowledge, skills and attitudes.
“During the dry season, this alternative feed is very useful because it turns out that cassava leaf agricultural waste is quite abundant here so that it can be used as an alternative and increase productivity,” he said.
“Hopefully IPB University can still establish a relationship with the Central Lampung Regency, can advance breeders so that breeders can cultivate well, (productivity) increases, and finally prosper,” concluded Deddy. (*/ra/Rz)(IAAS/PRO)
