To answer the needs of quality grass for farmers, the Faculty of Animal Science (FAS) UGM and Perserikatan Peternak Kambing dan Domba Yogyakarta (Yogyakarta Goat and Sheep Breeder Association) developed research on Napier Grass (Pennisetum Purpureum) in several locations in Yogyakarta and Central Java.
“This research is very important to do because farmers need grass that has the ability to grow faster, contain more biomass and adequate nutrition. This research was conducted to determine the adaptability of Napier Grass planted in several regions,” said Dean of FAS UGM, Prof. Dr. Ir. Ali Agus, DAA., DEA., IPU after the Research Results Dissemination and Launching of Livestock Forage Seeds, Sunday (6/1) at the FAS UGM campus.
The Dean added, based on gamma ray radiation carried out by the National Nuclear Energy Agency of Indonesia (BATAN), it is obtained 6 prospective Napier Grass varieties to be tested in several locations, namely in Gunung Kidul, Magelang, Sleman, and Bantul. “Prospective varieties are tested on the farm of PPKDY member. From the results of these tests, it is hoped that comprehensive data is expected to be the first step in developing superior grass,” said the Dean.
Chairman of the grass development team, Ir. Nafiatul Umami, S.Pt., M.P., Ph.D., IPM said that the grass that had been planted on the FAS UGM campus had high production, which was above 40 kg/m2.
“So far in Indonesia there have been several types of feed plants that have been known by farmers, but the limited land in Java has become an additional problem with the availability of forage which has a better growth, better quality, and more quantity,” said Nafi.
Chairperson of PPKDY, Aprilla Respati Adi, welcomed the research collaboration and thanked Fapet UGM for making PPKDY a livestock research and development partner. (Humas Fapet/Nadia)