Afdi Pratama: Strengthening Livestock Health Through International Learning
Afdi Pratama, a veterinary officer at the Department of Fisheries and Animal Husbandry in Bogor Regency, Indonesia, never planned to become a vocal advocate for biosecurity. It all started in 2022 when an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) spread across Indonesia, affecting Afdi’s work in animal health. A colleague encouraged him to apply for the Short Course on Principles and Practice of Effective Biosecurity Measures for Humans and Animals at the University of Queensland (UQ) in 2023.
During the course, Afdi was exposed to diverse perspectives through interactions with professionals from various sectors such as public health, quarantine, and laboratory sciences. This multidisciplinary environment broadened his view of what biosecurity involves.
‘It wasn’t just about sitting and listening. We were asked to reflect on our work, contribute to discussions, and apply what we learned through daily progress sessions,’ Afdi shared.
Award Project and Practical Tool for Local Needs
For his Award Project, Afdi developed a practical checklist tool to assess biosecurity in smallholder beef cattle farms in Bogor, particularly in districts like Jonggol and Cileungsi. Many of these temporary cattle enclosures lacked standardised health and hygiene practices. Afdi’s checklist covered 13 aspects of biosecurity using a framework he adapted from guidelines in Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
Afdi also collaborated with UQ experts Prof. Ricardo Soares Magalhaes and Prof. Simon Reid, who supported the initial planning stages during the course. Prof. Magalhaes guided Afdi in shaping the structure of his checklist tool, while Prof. Reid provided insights from a public health perspective.
‘They didn’t just supervise us, they challenged our assumptions and encouraged us to think about the wider impact of our work. Their mentorship was crucial,” Afdi said.
To deliver this biosecurity checklist, Afdi and his team at the district veterinary service disseminated the checklist through local animal health centres (Puskeswan). Field officers were trained to conduct assessments and deliver recommendations to farmers. The tool became part of broader efforts to improve livestock health and reduce FMD cases.
The first round of assessments was conducted in 2023. The findings revealed that many farms still operated under poor biosecurity standards. Afdi also encountered resistance from farmers who were sceptical about the concept. Despite the challenges, the checklist served as a valuable tool for starting conversations with farmers about disease prevention and best practices.
Based on the initial findings, Afdi and his team are planning a pilot project that will compare livestock performance between farms that adopt the biosecurity checklist and those that do not.
Applying Knowledge Beyond the Office
Beyond his official duties, Afdi used his short course experience to educate his peers and the wider community. He gave informal talks to veterinary students and farm workers, and created leaflets on on-farm biosecurity for public distribution. In 2023, he received third place in the Innovative Civil Servant Award in Bogor Regency. The award recognised his integration of the biosecurity checklist into a larger strategy to reduce FMD cases.
Impact, Recognition, and Future Aspirations
The short course significantly raised Afdi’s profile at work. He was trusted to represent his agency to international guests and take on greater responsibilities in external engagements.
In 2025, Afdi joined the DFAT-supported Asia Pacific Consortium of Veterinary Epidemiology (APCOVE), delivered by the University of Sydney. The online training deepened his understanding of disease trends and strengthened his ability to analyse outbreaks and plan strategic responses. Looking ahead, Afdi hopes to pursue a PhD in Australia.
