UNDIP, Semarang (1/6) – The Faculty of Animal and Agricultural Sciences of Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP) has established a strategic partnership with ACIAR (Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research) and the Jawa Tengah Provincial Government to improve the welfare of dairy farmers through the IndoDairy 2 Program.
This initiative aims to further strengthen Jawa Tengah, which is widely recognized as one of Indonesia’s key centers for dairy cattle and milk production. The collaboration is funded by ACIAR and fully supported by the Jawa Tengah Provincial Government.
The partnership was officially marked by the signing of an agreement on Wednesday (January 7, 2026), reflecting a shared commitment to improving dairy herd management and the welfare of cooperative member farmers. The cooperation agreement was signed by drh. Dian Wahyu Harjanti, Ph.D., Project Leader of the IndoDairy 2 Program from UNDIP, and Heni Prihatiningsih, Chairperson of KUD Mojosongo. This activity marks the initial step in implementing applied intervention programs prioritized for pilot farmers (focus farms) who are cooperative members, using a needs-based approach at the farm level.
One of the main interventions in the IndoDairy 2 Program is the construction of ad libitum drinking water facilities for dairy cattle, ensuring continuous and unrestricted access to water. The availability of sufficient, clean, and constant drinking water is a key factor that directly affects animal health and milk production. Providing this facility is expected to enable dairy cattle to meet their water requirements optimally, leading to increased productivity and improved milk quality.
Currently, the UNDIP IndoDairy team has built ad libitum drinking water facilities at 24 assisted member farms of KUD Mojosongo. The program will continue in stages, with plans to construct similar facilities at another 24 farms in the KUD Musuk area of Boyolali Regency in the coming months. In the future, this intervention is planned to be expanded to various dairy production centers across Jawa Tengah Province, allowing more smallholder farmers to benefit from the program.
In addition to constructing drinking water facilities, the collaboration between UNDIP and KUD Mojosongo includes providing training materials and technical assistance to farmers on feed and water management. The mentoring is conducted directly in the field by the UNDIP IndoDairy team, with support from the KUD Mojosongo Task Force Team, through a practical, hands-on approach. This mentoring session enables farmers to immediately apply better, more efficient, and sustainable herd management practices.
In her statement, drh. Dian Wahyu Harjanti, Ph.D., expressed hope that this collaboration would enhance farmers’ capacity to manage dairy farms, particularly in meeting their livestock’s basic needs. According to her, proper feed and water management form a crucial foundation for improving dairy cattle productivity and ensuring the sustainability of smallholder dairy enterprises. Meanwhile, Heni Prihatiningsih, Chairperson of KUD Mojosongo, warmly welcomed the collaboration with UNDIP and expressed hope that the IndoDairy 2 Program would deliver tangible benefits in improving livestock productivity and the welfare of cooperative member farmers.
To date, the IndoDairy 2 Program has demonstrated concrete impacts by constructing ad libitum drinking water facilities at the farm level, enabling dairy cattle to access adequate, continuous drinking water. Sufficient water quantity and quality are vital for maintaining dairy cattle’s health and increasing milk production. So far, ad libitum drinking water facilities have been built at 24 assisted member farms of KUD Mojosongo and will be expanded to another 24 farms in the KUD Musuk area, Boyolali, in the coming month. The program will subsequently be further developed in various dairy production centers throughout Jawa Tengah.
Through synergy between higher education institutions and dairy cooperatives, the IndoDairy 2 Program is expected to make a tangible contribution to the development of the dairy subsector and the strengthening of the national milk industry. The program also aligns with efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in supporting food security, improving farmers’ welfare, and promoting sustainable production practices. This initiative reflects UNDIP’s commitment to being Noble and Valuable, where academic expertise and innovation directly generate social and economic impact for the community. (Public Communication/ Dirinov/ ed. Nurul)