A 2026 study by Ni Nyoman Suryani of the Faculty of Animal Husbandry at Udayana University, together with I Wayan Suarna from Udayana University and I Putu Gede Didik Widiarta from the Faculty of Agriculture at Mulawarman University, highlights the urgent need for stronger sustainability-based policies to protect livestock genetic resources in Bali Province. Published in the International Journal of Global Sustainable Research, the research shows that while conservation efforts remain feasible, genetic erosion—rather than outright extinction—poses a growing threat to indigenous livestock breeds that support food security, rural livelihoods, and cultural traditions.
The findings matter because local breeds such as Bali cattle and Gembrong goats are not only biological assets but also pillars of regional economic resilience and cultural identity. Without integrated policy action, the gradual loss of genetic authenticity could weaken sustainable agriculture and long-term biodiversity protection in Indonesia.
Why Livestock Genetics Matter Today
Livestock genetic resources form the backbone of resilient agricultural systems, particularly in regions vulnerable to climate change and land-use pressure. Indigenous breeds often outperform commercial varieties under low-input conditions and environmental stress, making them essential for sustainable farming.
Bali presents a distinctive case where agriculture, culture, and regional development intersect. Local breeds are deeply embedded in ceremonial life and traditional economies, yet increasing land conversion, production intensification, and crossbreeding practices are accelerating genetic decline.
Despite Indonesia’s rich genetic diversity, previous research has focused more on technical livestock management than on policy integration. The study led by Ni Nyoman Suryani addresses this gap by examining how governance frameworks can better align conservation goals with sustainable development.
How the Study Was Conducted
The research team used a qualitative design across several regencies in Bali to capture diverse institutional and community perspectives. Methods included:
- Analysis of policy documents and regulatory frameworks
- In-depth interviews with government officials and community leaders
- Field observations
- Stakeholder surveys
To evaluate policy effectiveness, the researchers applied Force Field Analysis, a strategic tool that compares factors supporting conservation with those that hinder it. Data validity was strengthened through triangulation across multiple sources.
This approach allowed the team to identify governance gaps while proposing evidence-based policy strategies.
Key Findings: Genetic Resources Under Pressure
The study confirms that Bali holds high-value livestock genetic resources with ecological, socio-cultural, and economic importance. However, several breeds are now considered vulnerable or critically endangered due to human-driven pressures.
Major threats identified include:
- Genetic dilution from uncontrolled crossbreeding, especially in Bali cattle
- Extremely small populations of White Taro cattle and Gembrong goats
- Market dominance of hybrid breeds, pushing local animals out of production systems
- Land conversion and shrinking grazing areas
- Weak policy integration across sectors
Notably, the research emphasizes that the primary danger is not species extinction but the gradual loss of genetic authenticity—an outcome that could undermine adaptability and long-term sustainability.
Policy Framework: Strong on Paper, Fragmented in Practice
International agreements, national laws, and regional regulations collectively provide a legal basis for protecting genetic resources. For example, biodiversity commitments aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals position conservation as part of long-term development strategy.
However, the researchers found a persistent gap between policy norms and operational implementation. Existing regulations often address biodiversity broadly rather than targeting livestock genetics specifically, resulting in weak coordination and limited conservation programs.
Competing priorities—such as tourism expansion and agricultural intensification—frequently overshadow conservation efforts.
Driving vs. Inhibiting Forces
Force Field Analysis revealed that supportive factors slightly outweigh barriers, placing Bali in what researchers describe as a “reinforcement zone” rather than a policy crisis.
Driving factors include:
- Availability of regulatory instruments
- Strong local wisdom and customary culture
- Community preference for local livestock products
- Cultural attractions linked to traditional animals
Together, these forces scored 3.832, surpassing the 3.333 score of inhibiting factors.
Key barriers include:
- Weak legal protection for genetic integrity
- Limited land and feed resources
- Market pressure from hybrid breeds
- Animal welfare concerns related to traditional events
The narrow margin suggests a fragile equilibrium that could shift without targeted policy action.
Expert Insight
The authors emphasize that conservation remains achievable but strategically sensitive. As the researchers note, Bali Province possesses livestock genetic resources with “high ecological, socio-cultural, and economic value,” yet sustainability is increasingly threatened by genetic erosion rather than population collapse.
They argue that strengthening policy specificity, integrating local wisdom into formal governance, and developing technical breeding regulations are essential to prevent further genetic dilution.
Real-World Impact and Policy Implications
The study offers several practical recommendations with broad relevance for policymakers, agricultural planners, and rural economies:
- Develop technical regulations for controlled breeding and genetic monitoring
- Provide economic incentives for farmers to maintain local breeds
- Embed conservation within circular economy strategies
- Integrate customary institutions into formal governance
- Improve coordination across livestock, environmental, tourism, and spatial-planning agencies
If implemented effectively, these measures could enhance biodiversity protection while supporting sustainable regional development.
Beyond Bali, the research provides a model for other regions balancing modernization with heritage preservation. Strengthening sustainability-based policy frameworks may help safeguard genetic resources that are increasingly recognized as strategic assets in global food systems.
Author Profiles
Ni Nyoman Suryani — Lecturer and researcher at the Faculty of Animal Husbandry, Udayana University. Her expertise focuses on sustainable livestock systems, genetic resource conservation, and agricultural policy.
I Wayan Suarna — Academic at the Faculty of Animal Husbandry, Udayana University, specializing in livestock management and community-based conservation.
I Putu Gede Didik Widiarta — Scholar from the Faculty of Agriculture, Mulawarman University, with research interests in sustainable agriculture, rural development, and circular economy approaches.
Source
Article Title: Strengthening Sustainability-Based Policies for the Protection and Conservation of Livestock Genetic Resources in Bali Province
Journal: International Journal of Global Sustainable Research (IJGSR)
Year: 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.59890/ijgsr.v4i1.146
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