A community-based approach to livestock disease control in Subang Regency, West Java Province, Indonesia

Abstract

Livestock is a leading commodity in Subang Regency. Besides, Subang is one of the national priority commodity development areas for beef cattle. An innovative way is required to handle resource constraints and achieve the targeted goals. The research describes the community-based livestock disease control innovation, “Paket Hemat”, in Subang Regency, West Java Province, Indonesia. It used the case study method. Data was collected using documentation studies and interviews. This innovation unites and empowers the community of breeders in Subang Regency. The breeders were trained to become skilled in maintaining their livestock’s health and provide initial treatment when they have an illness, supervised by the Livestock and Animal Health Agency. Veterinarians or paramedics will handle further medical assistance if the initial treatment cannot overcome the problems. In 2017, 60 breeders were trained, and this increased to 120 breeders from 30 sub-districts in 2020. The evaluation results showed a decrease in livestock disease and an increase in livestock population from 2018 to 2020 in Subang Regency. Better livestock health status can increase livestock productivity and breeders’ welfare. Thus, disease control can reinforce the livestock’s role in poverty reduction and improve people’s welfare.