Yogyakarta, September 16, 2026 – The Gama Ayam Development Team under the PRIMESTeP Innovation Development Grant of the Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), continues to strengthen its partnership network for the development of MAHAR Chicken through a series of visits to development partners in Klaten and Sleman Regencies. The activities are part of ongoing efforts to expand the implementation of superior local poultry innovation while fostering sustainable collaboration between higher education institutions and local communities. One of the visits was conducted in Kenaiban Village, Juwiring District, Klaten Regency, involving Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc., Dian Sartika, M.Sc., Yusuf Febrianta, Prananda Imammuddin Dzaki, and Ziyan Fareysa Abharani. The team observed the progress of activities at the site and held discussions with the local partners, Mr. Zul and Mr. Tri, regarding the development of MAHAR Chicken, future development opportunities, and various aspects that could be strengthened to maximize the program’s benefits for the community.
The day before, the team also visited Prof. drg. Suryono, S.H., M.M., Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry UGM and one of the partners in MAHAR Chicken development, at his residence in Klajuran, Sidokarto, Godean, Sleman. The visit was attended by Dian Sartika, M.Sc., Yusuf Febrianta, and Prananda Imammuddin Dzaki. The meeting provided an opportunity to strengthen the existing partnership while discussing the potential development of MAHAR Chicken and the broader benefits that the program could provide to the community in its subsequent stages. These visits demonstrate that the development of MAHAR Chicken involves not only strengthening genetic and production aspects but also expanding partnership networks and facilitating the application of innovation across different community settings. Direct interaction with partners is an important component for obtaining field-based input, identifying development needs, and ensuring that the resulting innovations can be implemented according to the characteristics and needs of each location.
Through these strengthened partnerships, the Faculty of Biology UGM Gama Ayam Team continues to promote MAHAR Chicken as a superior local poultry innovation with potential benefits for food security, economic development, and community empowerment. Collaboration with diverse partners is expected to create opportunities for population expansion, breeding, egg production, and replication of the MAHAR Chicken development model in other regions. This initiative aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) through the development of animal protein sources based on local poultry, SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) through the development of community economic opportunities, SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) through the downstreaming of research-based innovation, and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through strengthened collaboration between higher education institutions and community partners in advancing local poultry innovation.
