Peran Puskeswan dalam Penanggulangan Wabah Penyakit Hewan sebagai Upaya Perlindungan Aset Ekonomi Peternak

Abstract

Livestock is one of the key sectors supporting Indonesia’s food security and rural econnomy, yet it remains highly vulnerable to Stategic Infetious Animal Disease (PHMS) outbreaks, particularly Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). This article aims to describe and analyze the role of the Animal Health Center (Puskeswan) under the Jember Regency Food Security, Livestock, and Fisheries Office (DKPPP) in controlling animal disease outbreaks as an effort to protect farmers’ economic assets. The activity was carried out through a Field Work Practice (PPL) using a descriptive qualitative approuch with a case study strategy, employing participatory observation, semi-structured interviews, and documentation study. The result show that Puskeswan carries out its four core functions, prevention, early detection, rapid response, and vaccination, in an integrated maner through the Integreted Animal Health Servive (Yankeswandu) program, which provide treatment, vaccination, disease surveillens to hundreds of livestock across several villages, alongside  a long-term genetic quality improvement program through Red Brahman cattle development. This service proved effective in reducing farmers’ treatment costs, although the FMD outbreak also left psycological truma that made some farmers reluctant to restock their pens. The main supporting factor was cross-institutional collaborating, while the main obstacle was farmers’ low compliance with officers’ recommendations. This study recommends strengthening sustained persuasive education and expanding servive coverage to further strengthen farmers’ economic recilience in Jember Regency.