The Faculty of Animal Science (FAS) UGM developed PRO-NIN BLOCK, an environmentally friendly feed supplement that is able to reduce the production of methane gas produced by ruminants such as cattle, goats, and sheep.
“Methane gas is one of the causes of global warming, which in turn causes various problems such as erratic climate change, drought, and forest fires. The production of methane gas that is too high also has an impact on decreasing livestock productivity,” said Prof. Dr. Ir. Lies Mira Yusiaiti, SU. IPU, FAS UGM lecturer who developed PRO-NIN BLOCK.
Lies Mira added, the feed supplement was able to increase productivity in ruminant animals so that it was expected to be applied by farmer groups.
“The supplement contains tannins which are active substances from plants to inhibit methane production in ruminants, such as teak leaves (Tectona grandis), kaliandra (Calliandra calothyrsus), and mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni). The plants are processed so they are easy to use and are given to animals,” said Lies Mira who also serves as the Head of the Nutrition Biochemistry Laboratory of FAS UGM.
PRO-NIN BLOCK was developed by Lies Mira through the Community Partnership Empowerment (PKM) program funded by the Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education (RISTEK DIKTI). According to her, the low level of knowledge and technology uptake caused farms to be not well managed so as to produce high methane gas. Many farms are still run traditionally. As a result, pollutant compounds produced by livestock are not managed properly so that it pollutes the environment.
“One of the PRO-NIN BLOCK technology developments was carried out at the Ayo Angon Youth Livestock Group, Buyutan, Ngalang, Gedangsari District, Gunung Kidul. The young farmers are invited to be aware of how to run environmentally friendly farms so that it is not detrimental, even more profitable,” said Lies Mira.
Doni as the coordinator of the livestock group was pleased with the assistance provided by the FAS UGM. This can add insight related to good farm management, especially the decline in methane, so it is not detrimental to livestock and the environment. (Nadia)