ULM Lecturer Team Promotes Economic Independence for Students Through KUB Chicken Cultivation Training
MARTAPURA – A team of lecturers from the Faculty of Agriculture (Faperta) at Lambung Mangkurat University (ULM) in Banjarbaru conducted a community service program in the form of mentoring and counseling on the cultivation of superior village chickens (KUB) at the Mu’adalah Ala Gontor An-Najah Islamic Boarding School in Tungkaran, Martapura, on Thursday (July 24, 2025). This activity targeted students as the primary participants, with the aim of equipping them with entrepreneurial skills in the livestock sector.
The Head of the Lecturer Team, Ir. Hj. Herliani, M.Si, explained that this program is an annual routine that not only provides training but also monitors and evaluates previous programs.
“We want the students to have a practical understanding and be able to manage simple farms independently, so that they can become entrepreneurs,” she said.
This training is considered relevant to the growing trend of village chicken consumption in Indonesia. Data from 2023 recorded that free-range chicken consumption reached 4.1 kg per capita per year and is projected to increase to 4.28 kg by 2025. Free-range chickens are a superior choice due to their high egg productivity, rapid growth, high hatch-ability, and good meat quality.
As a higher education institution, ULM presents 15 lecturers from various fields of expertise to provide comprehensive material, ranging from husbandry techniques, feed, livestock health, and business management. These include:
- Prof. Dr. Ir. Danang Biyatmoko, M.Si
- Ir. Hj. Herliani, M.Si
- Ir. Abrani Sulaiman, M.Sc., Ph.D
- drh. Muhammad Riyadhi, M.Si
- Habibah, S.Pt., M.P
- Azhar Syafiq Imanullah, S.Pt., M.Sc
- Muhammad Rido, S.Pt., M.Pt
- Dimas Fajar Nugroho, S.Pt., M.Sc
- Nisa Mufidah, S.KH., M.Pt
- Henggi Apedro, S.Pt., M.Sc
- M. Yasin Syihabuddin, S.Pt., M.Sc
- Meilan Archadiya, S.Pt., M.Pt
- Fadhilah Dhani S.F., S.Pt., M.Si
- Nida’ul Husna, S.Pt., M.Pt
- Afiza Wulandari, S.Pt., M.Pt
The Islamic boarding school welcomed this activity. Ustadzah Nur Fitriani, S.Pd.I, stated that the mentoring from ULM was able to motivate the students, most of whom were still beginners in the world of animal husbandry.
“They have great potential if properly guided. We saw the students’ enthusiasm increase after receiving motivation and basic understanding,” she said.
The students’ enthusiasm was evident in the active participation during the discussion sessions. Syaqib showed interest in the topic of alternative feed, while Bela highlighted the importance of business management to avoid losses.
This activity also supports the spirit of Independent Learning–Independent Campus (MBKM) by integrating theory and field practice. The program’s results will be published in the Community Service Journal, national seminar proceedings, and educational media such as posters and documentary videos.
With this mentoring, ULM hopes that the Mu’adalah Ala Gontor An-Najah Islamic Boarding School can become a model for sustainable, innovative learning, while contributing to food security and improving the community’s economy.
