COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT OF BEEF CATTLE FARMERS THROUGH REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGY, ANIMAL HEALTH, AND LOCAL RESOURCE-BASED FEED DEVELOPMENT TO SUPPORT NATIONAL MEAT SELF-SUFFICIENCY IN TUBAN REGENCY

Background: Rural beef cattle farming continues to be constrained by low reproductive efficiency, a high incidence of infectious and metabolic diseases, and poor nutritional management stemming from reliance on low-quality forage. 
Objective: This study aimed to empower beef cattle farmer groups in Tuban Regency through an integrated intervention combining reproductive technology, comprehensive livestock health management, and local resource-based feed formulation to enhance productivity and support national meat self-sufficiency. 
Methods: The program was conducted in Tuban Regency, East Java, utilizing a participatory approach that combined training workshops, clinical demonstrations, and field assistance. Interventions included estrus synchronization and artificial insemination (AI) guidance, strategic parasite control protocols, and practical processing of agricultural by-products into silage and fermented feed. Program efficacy was evaluated pre- and post-intervention using structured questionnaires and clinical body condition scoring. 
Results: The intervention yielded a statistically significant increase in farmers' technical knowledge and operational capacity by over 40%. Participatory health management effectively reduced parasitic loads and improved overall Body Condition Scores (BCS). Furthermore, the adoption of feed fermentation technology secured consistent year-round forage availability during dry seasons while substantially lowering production costs. 
Conclusion: An integrated empowerment model incorporating reproductive technologies, veterinary health protocols, and localized feed processing significantly improves farm-level beef cattle productivity, offering a scalable framework to advance national meat self-sufficiency.