ULM Chemistry Study Program Implements Quail Farming Innovation with the Barito Kuala Community
MARABAHAN – The Chemistry Study Program, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) at Lambung Mangkurat University (ULM), implemented a quail farming innovation program in Puntik Tengah Village, Mandastana District, Barito Kuala Regency (Batola).
This activity involved lecturers and students, with funding support from the Directorate of Research and Community Service (DPPM) of the Ministry of Education, Research, and Technology through the Student Creativity Program (PKM) scheme for the 2025 Fiscal Year.
The head of the community service team explained that this activity aims to strengthen synergy between universities and the community, particularly in the development of alternative feed based on local resources and sustainable marketing strategies.
“Students not only assist farmers in feed innovation but are also involved in designing marketing strategies. We hope this program will increase farmer productivity and income while providing students with real-world experience in agribusiness and entrepreneurship,” he said.
One of the program’s partner farmers, Taryanto, revealed that feed costs remain a major obstacle in quail farming.
“Feed costs are very significant for us, reaching 70 percent of total production costs. If feed prices rise, income can drop drastically,” he said.
To address this, the ULM team, along with farmers, developed an alternative feed made from snakehead fish meal, which is abundant in South Kalimantan and high in protein, and can be processed using restaurant and food waste.
In addition to feed constraints, marketing issues are also a concern. Taryanto added, “Quail egg marketing has been limited to the village. We hope that with ULM’s support, the market can expand and become more sustainable.”
This program was motivated by the situation in Puntik Tengah Village, where most of the residents depend on orange groves for their livelihoods but have also begun developing quail farming as a source of additional income. Of the seven to ten registered quail SMEs, only two groups remain active.
This program demonstrates ULM’s commitment to supporting local food security while empowering the village community. The innovation implemented is expected to strengthen the economy of quail farmers and become a model of sustainable service in the agribusiness sector.
