Report by Salsabila Andiana
[Unpad Media Channel] A Professor at Universitas Padjadjaran Faculty of Animal Husbandry, Prof. Dr. Agr. Ir. Raden Siti Darojah, M.S., stated how the utilization of biotechnology in livestock reproduction could support the need for animal protein, such as meat, milk, and eggs, in Indonesia. Biotechnology in livestock reproduction has a role in increasing the quality, population, and productivity of livestock.
“The high demand for meat, milk, and eggs have not been fulfilled domestically,” explained Prof. Siti in her speech titled “The Role of Biotechnology in Livestock Reproduction and Its Application in Fulfilling Animal Protein Demand in Indonesia”.
She delivered her speech at her appointment ceremony to become a (Full) Professor alongside a few others. The ceremony was held at Grha Sanusi Hardjadinata, Unpad’s Iwa Koesoemasoemantri Campus, Bandung on Wednesday (2/7/2024).
Furthermore, Prof. Siti added that there is a need for intervention to satisfy the people’s demand for meat. One example is increasing the population of livestock through reproduction biotechnology.
“It needs contributions and effort from various sides, including academics and researchers, in the form of breakthroughs in livestock reproduction biotechnology,” she clarified. Aside from that, the agro-industrial sector also has an important part in providing animal protein in Indonesia.
Breakthroughs such as artificial insemination, embryo transfer, and sperm sexing are a few pieces of technology that have been developed by researchers. Prof. Siti elaborated that artificial insemination, in particular, plays an important part in raising the genetic quality of males and the productivity of livestock.
“So, in the end (artificial insemination) could help in supplying Indonesians with animal protein,” she said.
The research done by Prof. Siti and her team also revolved around sperm sexing. The focus of this particular study was sheep and goats. She hoped the results of the study could be implemented for small and medium-scale farms.
“By implementing sperm sexing, livestock productivity could be improved effectively and efficiently,” explained Prof. Siti.
From the research she carried out, sperm sexing technology was found to help businesses, farmers, and practitioners in controlling the ratio of the sex of their livestock according to the needs of production.
“Apart from applying it to small and medium-scale farms, applying it on an industrial scale could bolster the fulfillment of Indonesians’ need for animal protein,” she added. (art/ICP)*
