POULTRYINDONESIA, IKN – Empowering women in the food sector has become a primary focus in strengthening food security within the Ibu Kota Nusantara (IKN). Through a training session titled “Superior Native Chicken Cultivation,” the Food Security Directorate of the IKN Authority (OIKN) equipped Women Farmers Groups (KWT) with the skills to manage native chicken businesses professionally. The event took place in IKN, East Kalimantan, on Friday (Feb 13).

The training resulted from a collaboration between the government, the private sector, and academia, involving Wudi Chicken Balikpapan and Kagama (Gadjah Mada University Alumni Association) Inclusion Activists. A total of 10 KWTs from IKN buffer villages—including Telemov, Sukaraja, Argomulyo, Bumi Harapan, Pemaluan, and Karang Jinawi—participated in the program.

A representative from the OIKN Food Security Directorate emphasized that women’s involvement is key to inclusive economic growth in the new capital region. “We want to ensure that local communities, especially mothers around IKN, are not just spectators but key players in providing animal protein,” they stated during the opening.

Technical Mastery and Cage Management

The training material was delivered by Fauzul Idhi, a Superior Native Chicken expert from Wudi Chicken and a representative of Kagama Inclusion Activists. He provided participants with technical insights ranging from the chicken life cycle to optimal cage management.

One critical phase highlighted was the 32-day mark, known as the “off-electricity” phase—the stage when chickens are ready to be moved to larger cages.

Air quality within the coop was a major point of discussion. Fauzul warned that ammonia can pose a serious threat to poultry health. “If ammonia concentrations exceed 20 ppm, chickens risk respiratory issues and eye irritation,” he explained. To combat this, he recommended:

• Proper coop ventilation.

• Using absorbent materials like zeolite or activated carbon.

• Maintaining strict cage cleanliness.

Additionally, humidity plays a vital role. For young chickens (0–4 weeks old), the ideal humidity range is 60–70% to prevent diseases caused by fungi, viruses, or bacteria.

Herbal Solutions and Disease Prevention

The training also introduced the use of herbal remedies as an alternative to boost chicken immunity. Fauzul stressed the importance of correct dosages for safety and efficacy. “Herbs can be administered through feed, drinking water, or external applications for wound care,” he noted.

Participants also learned about external factors affecting growth, such as predator threats, temperature-induced stress, and contagious diseases like Newcastle Disease and Gumboro. In these cases, coop sanitation and water quality remains the foundation of livestock health.

Sustainability and Future Support

Through this training, the 10 KWTs are expected to apply professional native chicken farming standards, from the initial growth phases to ammonia waste management. These efforts are aimed at strengthening the role of local communities as pillars of food sovereignty in IKN.

The program will continue with further assistance covering:

• DOC (Day-Old Chicken) handling.

• Pullet management.

• Utilizing livestock manure as a planting medium.

• Providing organic feed.

Following the training, Wudi Chicken and Kagama Inclusion Activists have committed to ongoing mentorship for the participant groups to ensure program sustainability and improve the economic welfare of local communities in East Kalimantan.

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