Struggling farmers, weak cattle, rising imports: NutriFarm as a solution to reduce import and support the realization of free nutritious meals program

Abstract

Background: Indonesia continues to face inefficiencies in ration formulation among smallholder livestock farmers, resulting in low productivity and sustained dependence on imported meat and milk. This study aims to design NutriFarm, a digital livestock-assistance application intended to improve feed efficiency and strengthen national food security. Previous studies emphasize that precise nutrition management, optimized use of local feed resources, and the adoption of digital systems such as smart farming and precision livestock farming can significantly enhance livestock performance and reduce production costs. Methods: This study employed a qualitative approach through observation, systematic literature review, and descriptive analysis to identify challenges in feed management, technological adoption, and digital innovation opportunities. A Design-Based Research framework was used to develop key application features, formulate the implementation model, and construct a pentahelix-based collaborative ecosystem for farmer assistance. Findings: The results indicate that NutriFarm has the potential to improve the accuracy of ration formulation, maximize the use of local feed resources, and strengthen farmers’ capacity in nutritional monitoring and management practices. Integrated features—including automated ration calculation, nutrient evaluation, plant identification, and daily feed logging—enhance data-driven decision making. These findings align with theories of livestock nutrition and precision livestock farming, which highlight the importance of balanced nutrient supply, continuous monitoring, and resource optimization. Conclusion: NutriFarm can serve as a strategic tool to improve the productivity of smallholder livestock systems and reduce reliance on imported animal products, thereby supporting the national nutritious-meal program. Novelty/Originality of this article: This study offers an integrated design that combines precise nutrition management, local feed optimization, automated plant identification, community-based assistance, and a multi-stakeholder pentahelix ecosystem within a single digital innovation model, representing a comprehensive approach not yet developed in Indonesia’s smallholder livestock