LENTERA, AI- Based Chicken Farming Modernization System

Photo of Danu (right) While Accompanying the Minister of Communication and Digital to Visit the Lentera BOOTH during the Inauguration of the AI ​​Center Some time ago

Universitas Brawijaya (UB) continues to develop technology-based innovations to support national food security. One of the latest innovations highlighted is the Real-Time Technology Service for Chickens (LENTERA), a system based on artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) designed to increase the efficiency and productivity of chicken farming.

This project was initiated by Danung Nur Adli, SPt., MSc., MPt., a lecturer at UB Faculty of Animal Husbandry, to provide modern solutions for small farmers. “We initially developed LENTERA since I saw that many livestock systems in Indonesia were still conventional after working at a startup. In fact, the temperature in Indonesia is often uncertain, for example, it is cold in the morning, but suddenly hot in the afternoon. This makes chickens easily stressed, which affects their productivity,” said Danung.

LENTERA utilizes IoT technology to monitor temperature, humidity, and chicken feed consumption in real-time. The data can be accessed directly through an application on a smartphone. This system is designed to meet the needs of the millennial generation of farmers who are increasingly familiar with digital technology.

“Many farmers today use cellphones. With LENTERA, they can monitor the condition of their chickens from anywhere without having to enter the cage. This will make it easier and more efficient,” he explained.

Photo of the LENTERA tool during a trial in a broiler cage for 35 days in Karangploso

In addition to monitoring cage conditions, LENTERA also has automation capabilities. For example, if the temperature of the cage is too high, the system will immediately activate the cooling fan to maintain the ideal temperature.

“If the ideal temperature is 32 degrees but it reaches 38 degrees, the system will automatically lower the temperature with a cooling fan. That is what we are focusing on in the future,” he added.

LENTERA was developed with the main focus of helping small farmers compete with large farmers. This technology is adapted for the open house system, which tends to be more susceptible to temperature changes than the closed house system. “We want to know how small farmers can remain competitive. Our segmentation is small farmers since they often face challenges in maintaining productivity,” said Danung.

Currently, the LENTERA prototype has been tested at the in vivo laboratory in Karangploso. The trial aims to measure the impact of temperature regulation on chicken weight. “If the cage temperature is comfortable, chickens tend to eat more than drink. This has a direct effect on weight gain,” he explained.

The development of LENTERA involves cross-faculty collaboration, especially with the Faculty of Computer Science (FILKOM) UB. FILKOM lecturer, Tirana Noor Fatyanosa, S.Kom., M.Kom., Ph.D., explained her role in developing the AI ​​technology.

“We developed a machine learning-based predictive model that processes temperature, humidity, and feed consumption data in real time. This model can provide recommendations or even automatically adjust the cage conditions to achieve optimal results,” explained Tirana.

Photo of Open House Cage in Karang Ploso

FILKOM also provides technical support in the form of a server to process data generated by the IoT system. This technology allows the integration of data from various sensors in the cage, thus providing a more in-depth analysis of livestock productivity.

Tirana said that developing AI-based technology will have its own challenges. “Because we take data from IoT devices and it is real-time, we must ensure that the data is accurate. AI modeling also needs to be adjusted to the characteristics of the data obtained. Another challenge can also be seen in data processing where the raw data we obtain needs to be cleaned, processed, so that it can be used optimally by the AI ​​model,” she said.

She added, in the LENTERA project, the cost of developing this technology is already considered proportional with the benefits generated.

“The cost of developing this technology is already worth it considering the benefits generated are large, especially in increasing the efficiency and productivity of livestock. So, if we can optimize the microclimate in the cage, it will automatically increase the harvest and reduce the risk of livestock death,” she said.

However, Tirana also emphasized the need for adjustments in the cost aspect so that in the future this system becomes more efficient and economical without reducing quality. “There still needs adjustments in costs so that in the future it can be more efficient and economical. But we are optimistic that this is a form of investment that in the future can provide significant added value to the livestock sector,” she added.

In the future, LENTERA is planned to be equipped with more sophisticated AI technology, such as YOLO-based visual recognition to automatically monitor chicken weight via CCTV cameras.

“For example, if there is a chicken that is not ideal in weight, the system will immediately detect it. This technology requires further development,” said Danung.

Furthermore, the next development includes automation of feeding and drinking water. “For now, the food supply is still manual. But later we will develop it so that everything can be done automatically,” he added.

LENTERA is part of Universitas Brawijaya’s efforts to support national food security. The inauguration of the AI ​​Center and Data Center at UB on Sunday (5/1/2025) by the Minister of Communication and Digital, Meutya Hafid, is an important momentum to strengthen the development of technology such as LENTERA.

Meutya Hafid stated that AI-based technology in the livestock sector has great potential to support government programs.

“Technology such as LENTERA can have a direct impact, not only on food security, but also on improving the welfare of small farmers,” she said.

Through LENTERA, UB shows its commitment to create relevant and impactful technology. With full support from universities and the government, LENTERA is expected to be a real solution to improve livestock efficiency and strengthen national food security. (DEA/UB PR/ Trans. Iir).

  From Berita UB