Jambi- Cattle farmers in flood-vulnerable areas of Muaro Jambi Regency, Indonesia, continue to sustain their livelihoods despite recurring seasonal floods. A 2026 study by Ariyadi, Nahri Idris, and Yurleni from the Faculty of Animal Science, Universitas Jambi, reveals practical strategies that allow smallholder cattle farming to grow and remain productive in flood-prone environments. Published in the East Asian Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, the findings offer policy-relevant insights for disaster-resilient livestock development.
The research matters because smallholder farmers dominate Indonesia’s beef supply chain. When floods disrupt cattle production in rural areas such as Maro Sebo District, the impact extends beyond local communities, affecting food security, rural income stability, and regional livestock policy planning.
Annual Flooding as a Persistent Livestock Risk
Maro Sebo District lies along the Batanghari River, one of Sumatra’s major river systems. During the rainy season, floodwaters regularly inundate villages, roads, grazing land, and cattle shelters. Water levels can reach up to one meter and persist for as long as three months, creating prolonged disruption for livestock farming.
For cattle farmers, flooding brings multiple risks at once: feed shortages, increased disease incidence, transportation barriers, and livestock mortality. These pressures threaten not only animal health but also farmers’ motivation to continue raising cattle. Without adaptive strategies, repeated flooding could gradually weaken rural livestock systems.
Field Survey of Flood-Exposed Cattle Farmers
The research team conducted a field survey between May and July 2025, covering 56 cattle farmers in three flood-prone villages—Setiris, Mudung Darat, and Danau Kedap. All farmers in these villages were included through a census approach, ensuring comprehensive local representation.
Data were collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed using SWOT analysis, supported by Internal Factor Evaluation (IFE), External Factor Evaluation (EFE), Internal-External (IE) Matrix, and the Quantitative Strategic Planning Matrix (QSPM). These tools allowed the researchers to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats, and priority development strategies for cattle farming under flood conditions.
Strong Local Capacity Despite Environmental Pressure
The study shows that cattle farmers in Maro Sebo possess significant internal strengths. The IFE score of 2.75 indicates strong internal conditions, while the EFE score of 3.52 reflects farmers’ ability to respond to external opportunities and threats.
Key strengths identified include:
- Long farming experience, with over 40 percent of farmers raising cattle for more than ten years
- Adequate herd size for smallholder systems, averaging five to nine cattle per farmer
- High adaptive capacity, as 75 percent of farmers reported being accustomed to seasonal flooding
These strengths provide a foundation for resilience. Farmers rely on local knowledge, collective action, and early warning awareness to relocate cattle when floodwaters rise.
However, the study also highlights persistent weaknesses. Most farmers have low formal education levels, limiting access to new technologies and livestock management innovations. Flood seasons are associated with higher disease incidence, and safe evacuation land for cattle remains scarce.
Market Opportunities Remain Open
Despite environmental challenges, external opportunities for cattle farming remain strong. Demand for beef continues to rise, and cattle prices in Maro Sebo range from IDR 15–17 million per adult animal, depending on weight and age. Farmers report that cattle sales are relatively easy, as traders frequently visit villages.
Another strategic opportunity is the presence of main land routes that remain partially accessible during floods. These routes function as evacuation corridors and logistics channels for feed, veterinary supplies, and livestock marketing.
Feed Shortages and Transport Disruptions as Key Threats
Flooding sharply reduces the availability of grazing land and fresh forage. Grasslands, plantation edges, and swamp areas—normally important feed sources—become submerged. As a result, feed scarcity emerges as the most serious threat to cattle productivity.
Transportation disruption further compounds the problem. Flooded village roads hinder access to animal health services, feed distribution, and cattle marketing. These constraints increase production costs and delay sales, reducing farmers’ income stability.
Priority Strategy: Government–Farmer Collaboration
Using the QSPM analysis, the researchers evaluated eight alternative development strategies. The highest-ranked strategy, with a Total Attractiveness Score of 5.43, emphasizes collaboration between farmers and government institutions.
The priority recommendation includes:
- Establishing communal cattle shelters in flood-safe areas
- Developing organized livestock evacuation centers
- Strengthening feed management systems during flood periods
- Integrating animal health services into flood mitigation programs
According to Nahri Idris of Universitas Jambi, institutional cooperation is critical. He emphasizes that smallholder farmers require structured support systems to reduce losses during recurring natural disasters and sustain long-term productivity.
Other recommended strategies include constructing raised cattle housing, producing preserved feed such as silage and hay, and providing flood mitigation training tailored to farmers’ education levels.
Implications for Policy and Rural Resilience
The findings offer clear guidance for policymakers. Flood-prone livestock regions do not require relocation or abandonment; instead, they need adaptive, place-based strategies that integrate disaster management with agricultural development.
For rural communities, these strategies can stabilize income, reduce livestock mortality, and protect long-term food supply chains. For government agencies, the study provides evidence to support targeted investment in livestock infrastructure and farmer capacity building.
Author Profiles
- Ariyadi Universitas Jambi
- Nahri Idris Universitas Jambi
- Yurleni Universitas Jambi
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