UGM Graduate Turns 5 Goats into a Hundreds of Millions Rupiah Business

Alumni of the Faculty of Animal Science at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Mila (27), has successfully managed a modern goat and sheep farming business with a turnover of hundreds of millions of rupiah. She focuses on improving the quality and genetics of livestock, which has proven to provide significant added value. The modern farm, named Kerabat Ternak 1-3, managed by Mila and her husband, is now well-known across various regions in East Java. Together with her husband, Sahroni, Mila has developed a goat and sheep enterprise with various business lines, including fattening, breeding, dairy production, and the sale of livestock production supplies.

Mila’s family, who have a background in the timber business, were initially sceptical when she decided to study at the Faculty of Animal Science. However, this motivated her to prove that the livestock sector is promising. She began her journey in 2014 while still in her second year of senior high school, starting with just five goats. After completing her education in 2020, she focused entirely on the business, using the theoretical and practical knowledge gained at university as a strong foundation.

Her business journey was not without challenges. Mila once suffered losses due to the death of her livestock, but she used each incident as a learning opportunity through observation. This experience deepened her understanding of livestock health management, from pneumonia caused by temperature changes to other common infections. Today, Kerabat Ternak prioritises not only population numbers but also the quality of the animals and their welfare. In addition to maintaining clean pens, she optimally manages feed by utilising 1.5 hectares of forage land combined with supplementary feed such as tofu dregs and dried water spinach.

Rather than chasing population numbers, Mila focuses on improving livestock quality and genetics, a strategy that has delivered significant added value. Superior quality goats can fetch between IDR 16 million and IDR 23 million per head, compared to local goats priced at IDR 3 million to IDR 5 million. Beyond supplying animals for sacrificial rituals (qurban) and aqiqah ceremonies, Kerabat Ternak also sells livestock production supplies, including colostrum milk, vitamins, and various farming equipment, marketed across several areas in East Java. The Idul Adha season is a peak period; in the two months leading up to the 2024 celebration, the business recorded a turnover of IDR 500 million to IDR 700 million. During regular months, the aqiqah, seed stock, milk, and equipment lines generate around IDR 50 million per month, with an additional IDR 75 million from production supplies. Their market reach continues to expand to Lamongan, Bojonegoro, and other areas in East Java.

Since 2023, Mila has actively shared her knowledge through educational content on social media, particularly TikTok, introducing modern farming practices. The business also creates a social impact by employing two workers and fostering community livestock groups. One member, Erma, noted that Kerabat Ternak has greatly assisted small-scale farmers, especially in marketing goat milk and improving farming knowledge. Mila believes that success is measured not only by profit but also by the ability to create learning spaces and empower the community with sustainable livelihoods.