POULTRYINDONESIA, South Tangerang – The Alumni Association of the Faculty of Animal Science, Universitas Gadjah Mada (KAPGAMA), held a halal bihalal gathering in South Tangerang on Sunday (April 12). The event served not only as a reunion for UGM Animal Science alumni but also as a strategic discussion forum on the dynamics and challenges of Indonesia’s livestock industry, particularly the poultry sector.

KAPGAMA Chairman, Achmad Dawami, emphasized in his remarks that the livestock industry is currently under government scrutiny due to its vital role in maintaining food security and price stability.

Referring to Law No. 18 of 2012 on Food, Dawami noted that the government is responsible for ensuring adequate, safe, high-quality, and affordable food supply. However, he pointed out that structural issues remain, including the long distribution chain from farmers to consumers.

“The lengthy distribution chain creates significant price disparities between the farm level and consumers. This is a shared challenge that must be addressed through a more efficient and integrated system,” he said.

Furthermore, Dawami highlighted the importance of synergy among the three main pillars in livestock sector development: government, industry players, and academia. In this regard, Universitas Gadjah Mada holds a strategic position as a center for knowledge development and innovation in animal science.

In line with this, the Dean of the Faculty of Animal Science UGM, Prof. Ir. Budi Guntoro, S.Pt., M.Sc., Ph.D., IPU., ASEAN Eng., affirmed that universities and alumni play a significant role in advancing Indonesia’s poultry industry.

He cited technological and production management advancements as key drivers of efficiency. Previously, it took up to 68 days for chickens to reach a weight of 2 kilograms; today, it only takes around 28–30 days.

“This improvement in efficiency is the result of technological progress, research, and innovation—driven in part by universities like UGM and alumni actively working in the industry,” he explained.

The halal bihalal gathering also served as a moment of reflection for alumni to strengthen their contributions to the development of the national livestock sector. With their academic background and professional experience, alumni are expected to act as agents of change—driving innovation while bridging the interests of government, industry, and society.

Closing the event, participants agreed that sustained collaboration is key to addressing future challenges.

“Let us strengthen collaboration and maintain our shared commitment to building a more efficient, competitive, and sustainable livestock industry,” he concluded.

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