Yogyakarta, April 21 2026 - PT Japfa Comfeed Indonesia Tbk (JAPFA), in collaboration with Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), has further strengthened its strategic partnership in advancing livestock innovation through the handover of a free-range layer chicken grant at the Inter-University Center of Excellence (PUAPT), Faculty of Animal Science, UGM, Special Region of Yogyakarta.

This initiative marks a new milestone in the long-standing partnership between JAPFA and UGM, which has been established since 2003. The collaboration has gradually evolved through various initiatives, including the development of a Closed House Teaching Farm in 2017, the grant of a post-harvest laboratory with a capacity of 20,000 chickens per day, and the development of closed house facilities focused on feed research aligned with poultry genetic improvements to achieve optimal efficiency in 2019. This synergy now continues through the advancement of animal welfare-based farming systems using a free-range approach.

Arif Widjaja, COO Poultry Indonesia, JAPFA, stated that the facility serves not only as a production unit but also as a living laboratory for the advancement of livestock science and technology. “In the initial phase, we are targeting a population of 1,500 laying hens with a production potential of approximately 1,275 eggs per day. More importantly, this collaboration reflects our commitment to driving innovation while also providing public education on the importance of quality, safe, and sustainable food products,” he said.

In the same occasion, the Dean of the Faculty of Animal Science at UGM , Prof. Ir. Budi Guntoro, S.Pt., M.Sc., Ph.D., IPU., ASEAN Eng,  expressed his appreciation for JAPFA’s contribution in supporting academic development and research. “The Free-Range Layer facility serves as a center of academic innovation that delivers tangible benefits for both education and the wider community. Students are able to learn firsthand about best practices in animal welfare, enabling them to produce research that is relevant to the future needs of the livestock industry,” he stated. The Faculty of Animal Science at UGM is currently developing three housing models Cages, Cage-free and Free range to support student learning through automation and system-based approaches.

The free-range layer chicken grant forms part of a concrete effort to support education, research, and development activities within the academic environment. This grant not only serves as a production facility but also as a research platform to study the most effective and sustainable poultry farming methods.

The free-range system implemented in this facility emphasizes the Five Freedoms of animal welfare, whereby the chickens are given access to outdoor areas to express their natural behaviors, such as moving freely, socializing, and basking in sunlight. During the day, the chickens are allowed to roam in open areas, while at night they return to the main housing facility to ensure protection from predators.

The implementation of this system has been widely adopted in various countries and has proven to deliver positive impacts, both on the physical and mental health of the chickens as well as on the quality of the eggs produced. Access to natural feed sources such as insects and worms in the outdoor area also contributes to enhancing the nutritional value of the eggs.

Furthermore, this collaboration also opens opportunities for the development of a premium egg market in Indonesia, in line with increasing consumer awareness of health, sustainability, and animal welfare aspects in food production. This initiative reflects JAPFA’s commitment as an integrated agribusiness company to support national food security through the provision of halal, safe, and hygienic animal protein, while also driving the transformation of the livestock industry toward more sustainable practices.