The research was conducted by Nunung Noor Hidayat and colleagues from the Department of Animal Husbandry at Universitas Jenderal Soedirman, Purwokerto. Drawing on regional livestock data, farmer surveys, and strategic analysis, the team mapped where small ruminant farming is most concentrated and proposed development strategies that can help farmers remain resilient amid market pressures, disease risks, and rising feed costs.
Small ruminants—goats and sheep—play a vital role in rural food security and household income across Indonesia. In Banyumas, favorable agro-ecological conditions, strong farming traditions, and rising demand for meat have long positioned the regency as a promising livestock area. However, recent population trends show uneven performance between goats and sheep, raising questions about how local governments and farmers should respond.
Why the Research Matters
Demand for goat and sheep meat in Indonesia continues to increase, driven by population growth, culinary businesses, and religious needs such as qurban and aqiqah. At the same time, small-scale farmers face mounting challenges, including fluctuating feed prices, limited access to capital, disease outbreaks, and competition from substitute protein sources.
Banyumas Regency represents a typical rural livestock region where policy decisions can directly affect farmer livelihoods. Identifying which sub-districts have comparative advantages—and what strategies best fit current conditions—helps ensure that public support, extension services, and investment are used effectively rather than spread thinly across all areas.
How the Study Was Conducted
The research team combined field surveys, official statistics, and stakeholder discussions. Surveys were carried out in selected sub-districts with high small ruminant populations, involving 131 goat and sheep farmers. Additional insights were gathered through interviews and focus group discussions with academics, government officials, extension workers, and practitioners.
To analyze the data, the researchers used three main approaches:
- Trend analysis to observe changes in goat and sheep populations over the past decade.
- Location Quotient (LQ) analysis to identify sub-districts where small ruminants are more concentrated compared with the wider regency.
- SWOT analysis to assess strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats shaping small ruminant development.
These methods allowed the team to link spatial patterns, population dynamics, and strategic choices in a clear and practical way.
Key Findings
The study highlights a clear contrast between goat and sheep farming in Banyumas:
- Goat populations are declining, with a downward trend observed from 2014 to 2024. The drop became particularly visible after 2019, a period associated with COVID-19 disruptions, reduced farm management capacity, and increased animal losses.
- Sheep populations are increasing steadily, showing a stronger and more consistent growth pattern, despite remaining smaller in absolute numbers.
Using Location Quotient analysis, the researchers identified several sub-districts as base areas for small ruminant development, meaning these areas have a higher concentration of goats and sheep compared with the regency average. These include Sumpiuh, Kebasen, Gumelar, Kemranjen, Rawalo, Somagede, Tambak, Banyumas, Purwojati, Patikraja, Ajibarang, Purwokerto Selatan, Purwokerto Timur, and Lumbir.
Importantly, the study shows that a large livestock population does not automatically mean a high comparative advantage. Some areas with modest animal numbers still qualify as strategic bases because small ruminants play a larger relative role in their local economy.
The SWOT analysis places Banyumas’ small ruminant sector in a Strength–Threat (ST) position. Farmers have valuable internal strengths—experience, labor availability, market access, and strong interest—but face serious external threats, including high feed prices, land conversion, weak farmer institutions, and dependence on middlemen.
Implications for Policy and Practice
Based on these findings, the researchers recommend focusing on efficiency and resilience rather than rapid expansion. Priority actions include:
- Improving feed management and forage cultivation to reduce costs and vulnerability during the dry season.
- Diversifying products beyond live animals, such as processed meat, packaged carcasses, goat milk, and breeding stock.
- Strengthening partnerships with restaurants, traditional markets, and government programs to stabilize demand and reduce reliance on intermediaries.
- Concentrating extension services, animal health support, and breeding programs in identified base areas to maximize impact.
According to the authors, this targeted approach can help stabilize goat populations while leveraging the stronger growth potential seen in sheep farming.
“As a development strategy, Banyumas should use its existing strengths—farmer experience, market access, and local institutions—to counter external pressures such as feed price volatility and market dominance by middlemen,” explained Nunung Noor Hidayat of Universitas Jenderal Soedirman, as summarized from the study’s strategic analysis.
Real-World Impact
The findings offer practical guidance for local governments, extension agencies, and farmer groups. By aligning development programs with actual spatial and economic conditions, Banyumas can strengthen food security, improve farmer incomes, and support sustainable livestock systems.
More broadly, the study demonstrates how combining population trends with spatial analysis can inform smarter agricultural policy across Indonesia, particularly in regions where smallholders remain the backbone of livestock production.
Author Profile
Nunung Noor Hidayat, PhD is a lecturer and researcher in Animal Husbandry at Universitas Jenderal Soedirman, Purwokerto, Indonesia. Her expertise focuses on livestock development, regional planning, and sustainable smallholder farming systems.
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