Yogyakarta, September 13, 2026 — The Gama Ayam Innovation Development Grant Team at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) held a socialization event under the PRIMESTEP program, titled “Optimizing the Production and Market Distribution System for Ayam Mahar Free-Range Chicken Eggs: A Superior Laying-Hen Innovation Supporting National Food Sovereignty 2026.” The event was held at the Sawit Sari Research Station in partnership with KWT Srikandi Mrican. The session opened with remarks from Zuliyati Rohmah, S.Si., M.Si., Ph.D.Eng., the team leader, who emphasized the importance of advancing local poultry innovation through technology adoption and community knowledge development.
The event featured two speakers. Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc. discussed the origins and diversity of local chicken breeds and introduced three poultry innovations developed through Gama Ayam: Ayam Mahar, Ayam Layar, and Golden Kamper. These innovations demonstrate the genetic potential of local poultry that can be further developed through selective breeding. The second session was delivered by Prof. Ir. Yuny Erwanto, S.Pt., M.P., Ph.D., IPM., who shared insights into poultry farming, product processing, and livestock based business development. He highlighted the importance of integrating production, processing, and marketing to increase the added value of livestock products. Together, the sessions provided participants with a broader understanding of poultry business development, from identifying the potential of local breeds to exploring opportunities for value added products.
As part of the program’s technology implementation, the event continued with the handover of an egg incubator to KWT Srikandi Mrican. The equipment is expected to strengthen the group’s breeding system and support the sustainable development of the Ayam Mahar population. Participants also took part in a field visit to the poultry pens at the Sawit Sari Research Station, where they observed farming practices firsthand and connected the knowledge gained during the sessions with real-world applications.
Through the Ayam Mahar Egg Production and Market Distribution Optimization Program, the Gama Ayam Innovation Development Grant Team seeks to integrate poultry innovation, breeding technology, farming practices, product processing, and market development to improve productivity and increase the economic value of smallholder poultry farming. The development of Ayam Mahar as a superior laying-hen innovation is expected to contribute to the availability of animal protein while creating new economic opportunities for local communities. Ultimately, the initiative represents a step toward strengthening national food sovereignty through the utilization and development of Indonesia’s local poultry potential. The program also contributes to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 5: Gender Equality, by supporting the economic empowerment of KWT Srikandi Mrican as the program’s women farmers’ partner group; SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, by strengthening village-level food security and the local economy through sustainable poultry business development; and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, through the collaboration between UGM and KWT Srikandi Mrican in applying poultry innovation and technology.
