NSLIC/NSELRED signed MoU with Local Government and universities on cattle development

KENDARI. Following a successful cattle fattening pilot implemented in Konda subdistrict of Konawe Selatan district, NSLIC/NSELRED recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cattle fattening and market development with the Government of Konawe Selatan district, Haluoleo University and University of Muhammadiyah Kendari. This MoU will formalize and strengthen the commitments of local government and universities to support pilot’s replication in the district.

NSLIC/NSELRED Project Director, Rino A. Sa’danoer; the Head of Konawe Selatan district, Surunuddin Dangga; Rector of Haluoleo University, Prof. Muhammad Zamrun; and Deputy Rector III, Bambang Indro Yuwono representing the Rector of University of Muhammadiyah Kendari signed the MoU on October 25, 2018 during project’s monitoring, evaluation and lessons learnt workshop in Southeast Sulawesi Province. The signing ceremony was also witnessed by representative of Directorate General of Livestock and Animal Health at the Ministry of Agriculture, Trimastuti Andajani; Technical expert at the Ministry of Village, Development of Disadvantaged Regions and Transmigration, Muhammad Fauzani Taufik; Regional Development Expert at Ministry of National Development Planning, Dimas Widiyanto; Acting Provincial Secretary of Southeast Sulawesi, Bustam; Head of Provincial Development Planning Agency of Southeast Sulawesi, Robert; Head of District Development Agency of Konawe Selatan, Saala; and many more.

“We are very grateful for this partnership. Not only it is in line with the 2016-2021 Regional Middle-term Development Plan of Konawe Selatan, but the project implementation through technical supports from NSLIC/NSELRED, Haluoleo University and University of Muhammadiyah Kendari will also reinforce our efforts in developing integrated cattle and agriculture sector. Konawe Selatan is one of cattle development main sites in Indonesia, and utilizing cattle farming waste into organic fertilizer for agriculture works both ways, increasing district’s income while ensuring environmental sustainability.” said the Head of Konawe Selatan, Surunuddin Dangga.

Meanwhile, Rector of Haluoleo University, Prof. Muhammad Zamrun, appreciated the strategic institutional partnership initiated by NSLIC/NSELRED as it signifies the collaboration between government, universities and donors/development partners in tackling the provice’s economic challenges. “Under this institutional collaboration, we committed to contribute our best for the regional economic development. Providing experts and technical assistances is part of Haluoleo University’s role as the research center and higher education institution. This partnership will share and draw on the expertise and experiences, exchanges of knowledge, ideas, networks and resources.” he said.

Replication of cattle development

To expand the positive results of cattle fattening pilot previously implemented in Konda sub-district from May to August 2018, NSLIC/NSELRED in collaboration with the Government of Konawe Selatan district, Haluoleo University and University of Muhammadiyah involve another 45 cattle rearers in three sub-districts of Landono, Konda and Mowila.

During October 2018 to March 2019, some activities will include training on cattle fattening and concentrate feed management; producing organic fertilizer from cattle farm waste for agriculture sector; developing local regulations to support cattle business and facilitating access to market. About 36 participants from Konda and Landono sub-districts have been trained in the concentrate feed management and organic fertilizer production. The trainings are provided by NSLIC/NSELRED in collaboration with the University of Haluoleo and a local producer of organic fertilizer.

NSLIC/NSELRED Project Director, Rino A. Sa’danoer said, “We are currently supporting the Konawe Selatan district to become the centre for cattle production in Sulawesi province which is in line with the national government program. The University of Haluoleo will become a service provider in giving technical assistance and providing feed concentrate to the cattle rearers. The University of Muhammadiyah Kendari though its business unit will also become a service provider in connecting the cattle rearers with local hotels and restaurants for the beef market. While the Government of Konawe Selatan district will support on issuing a local regulation on cattle price standards, cattle population and its trade traffic. Through comprehensive partnerships, we hope to support the government to increase the local investment and by doing so, the income of cattle rearers.”

 

Written by Virgi Fatmawati/NSLIC/NSELRED