HIMPULI National Work Meeting and Symposium

The Vice Minister of Agriculture in his opening remark said that local poultry has at least 2 important roles, the first is related to efforts in improving the nutritional state of families and the second is to reduce poverty. The existence of HIMPULI could facilitate the advancement of local poultry farmers in various regions in Indonesia and become a strategic partner for the government in developing a comprehensive national farming system. National data shows that local poultry has a significant role in providing animal protein for the public, its contribution is around 16.3% or 0.35 million tons (2008). Also there is a tendency in developed societies to consume food that are more organic, healthy, and clean.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health said in her opening remark that Indonesia is still facing threats from disease outbreaks. About 70% of diseases with outbreak potentials are transmitted from animals, including pets. Diseases transmitted from birds, chickens, swine, and other pet animals are also known to be new emerging infectious diseases (EIDs), for examples SARS, NIPAH from swine, and Avian Influenza. Besides that, Indonesia is also fighting against other infectious diseases derived from animals, such as malaria, dengue fever, filariasis or elephant foot, rabies, and other direct infectious diseases such as diarrhea, helminthiasis, and leprosy.

The Minister of Health reinforced the Healthy Farmer Healthy Livestock Movement (GPSTS). The synergy of Healthy Farmer Healthy Livestock Movements conducted by many parties is expected to also boost the development of local poultry. The establishment of Alert Villages (Desa Siaga) and the Healthy Farmer Healthy Livestock Movement (GPSTS) are examples of programs that unite public health, environmental health, and animal health. The approach is community empowerment with support from the government.
GPSTS is a collaboration between the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture, and HIMPULI. The objective is to improve public health and livestock productivity. One way to achieve that is by practicing Good Farming Practices (GFP). The target is to create healthy living environments and hygienic processing of animal products. According to the Minister of Health, GPSTS is a movement that promotes health, personal hygiene and Healthy & Clean Lifestyle (PHBS), early detection and quick response of diseases with outbreak potentials, farmer community empowerment in health aspects and human derived health efforts (UKBM), environmental health recovery, and biosafety, which could improve public health and increase livestock productivity.

HIMPULI was found in 2007. Now the association has 23 Provincial level branches (DPW Provinsi). The topic for the 4^th National Work Meeting was “Repositioning of Local Poultry Farms”. The meeting had 3 agendas; the first was Work Program, Problem Inventory, and Inauguration of the Indonesian Quail Farmer Association (APPI) Board.