The Faculty of Animal Science (FAS) UGM gave 30 boxes of Trigona bee seeds to members of Gama Ngudi Lestari Farmers’ Group, Banyusoca, Playen, Gunungkidul, on Friday (7/9). This is in line with FAS UGM’s commitment to develop new livestock commodities, namely the Trigona Spp bee species or better known as the lanceng bee.
“Trigona bees are easily developed and do not require extensive land in the cultivation process. Banyusoca is an area that is suitable for the development of the bees, considering there are many plants that have the potential to feed the bees,” Dr. Ir. Bambang Suhartanto, DEA, said, a lecturer at the Laboratory of Animal Feed Forage and Pasture FAS UGM.
Bambang added, the community service team of the Animal Feed Forage Laboratory and Pasture will provide assistance to the Ngudi Lestari Women Farmers Group in terms of bee cultivation techniques. “We will provide counseling on how to find bee seeds, transfer of bee colonies, types of plants that can be used for feed, and honey harvesting,” he said.
Juwarni, as the head of Kelompok Ngudi Lestari Women Farmers Group, said that the seeds would be a stimulus for members to develop bees, which is expected to increase income. (Nadia)