An abundance of milk production, often wasted, has found a creative solution through Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP). Through its Thematic Community Service Program (Kuliah Kerja Nyata Tematik / KKN-T), UNDIP provides training and assistance to its foster village communities.
This agenda was realized during an event organized by UNDIP’s Institute for Research and Community Service (Lembaga Penelitian dan Pengabdian kepada Masyarakat / LPPM), which monitored and evaluated fostered products featured in a competition commemorating the 53rd anniversary of KORPRI, the 25th anniversary of the Dharma Wanita Persatuan, and the 96th Mother’s Day in Semarang City. The event took place at the BSB Modern Market Hall in Semarang on Saturday, December 7, 2024.
The monitoring and evaluation activities by LPPM UNDIP, titled “Program to Improve Feed Quality for Integrated Ruminant Livestock Farming to Support Agritourism Initiatives in Sumurrejo Village, Gunungpati, Semarang,” included a Milk-Based Product Creation Competition organized by the KKN-T UNDIP team. The competition showcased products such as milk soap, silky pudding, and milkshakes.
Ruminant livestock like cows, goats, and sheep are integral to agritourism, serving both educational purposes and supporting local products such as milk, meat, or organic fertilizer. However, the primary challenge in livestock management lies in providing high-quality feed at an efficient cost. Quality feed not only supports animal health but also enhances productivity and the appeal of agritourism.
Regarding milk production, it is ironic that farmers in regions such as Pasuruan and Boyolali often discard their milk. According to Tempo.co on November 10, 2024, dairy farmers in Boyolali waste 30,000–50,000 liters of raw milk daily, valued at IDR 400 million, due to processing industry quota restrictions.
As a concerned institution with expertise in livestock and agriculture, UNDIP, through LPPM, deployed KKN-T students to foster village communities, including Sumurrejo Village, in processing milk products. This initiative aims to address the issue of surplus milk production.
For three years, UNDIP has selected Sumurrejo Village as one of its foster villages under the Science and Technology for Foster Villages Program (IPTEK bagi Desa Binaan UNDIP / IBDU). The program aims to empower partner villages to become more independent and sustainable through eco-friendly innovations. This effort aligns with UNDIP’s commitment to enhancing rural welfare by applying technology and knowledge in livestock and agriculture.
The Mayor of Semarang City, Hevearita Gunaryanti Rahayu, commonly known as Mbak Ita, attended the Milk-Based Product Creation Competition and praised the KKN-T UNDIP students and LPPM for organizing the event. “The products look elegant and attractive, and they taste great,” she said after sampling the participants’ creations. Fourteen participants, members of the Kelompok Tani Ternak Rejeki Lumintu from Sumurrejo Village, Gunungpati, Semarang, competed in the event. The Mayor also pledged to initiate branding events for milk products, including marketing support for processed milk products.
Prof. Dr. Ing. Ir. Suherman, S.T., M.T., Chair of LPPM UNDIP, emphasized that UNDIP, aligned with its tagline “Dignified UNDIP, Beneficial UNDIP” (UNDIP Bermartabat, UNDIP Bermanfaat), contributes to community empowerment through KKN-T by training residents to add value to local products with eco-friendly innovations. “The Mayor of Semarang City also promised to provide facilities to showcase processed products. We hope UNDIP-fostered livestock farmer groups can display their creations as one of UNDIP’s flagship products,” said Prof. Suherman.
Prof. Dr. Ir. Bambang W.H.E.P., M.S., M.Agr., Head of Community Service activities, explained that farmers are trained in dairy farming management, from feed preparation to processing and marketing dairy products. “UNDIP is pioneering not just milk sales but also downstream processed dairy products and training in digital marketing, which can increase farmers’ income. Most importantly, no more milk will be wasted—it can be turned into valuable products supporting the government’s free nutritious meal programs,” Prof. Bambang stated.
The event concluded with the announcement of winners and the awarding of prizes for the Milk-Based Product Creation Competition. It ended with a group photo, symbolizing solidarity and support for the Kelompok Tani Ternak Rejeki Lumintu from Sumurrejo Village. (Ut-Media Relations)
