EAST JAVA – In an effort to improve the welfare of honey beekeepers and develop local tourism potential, Dompet Dhuafa in collaboration with the Islamic Spirituality of the Financial Services Authority (ROIS OJK) Malang, launched the Honey Bee Area in Ketindan Village, Lawang District, Malang Regency, on Wednesday (04/09/2024). This economic empowerment program involves 11 beekeepers in two villages, focusing on the cultivation of Trigona honey bees which are known to produce high-quality honey.
One form of innovation in this program is the application of migratory beekeeping techniques. This technique allows farmers to move bee colonies to locations with abundant nectar sources, so that honey production can be optimized. In addition, the beekeeping area will also be developed into an educational destination. Visitors can learn about the honey production process and enjoy the beauty of nature.
The inauguration ceremony was also attended by several parties, including Udhi Tri Kurniawan as Deputy Director 1 of the Dompet Dhuafa Empowerment Program, Erna Tigayanti as Analyst of the Behavioral Supervision Section of Financial Services Business Actors, Education, Consumer Protection and Strategic Management Services OJK Malang, and Arrissa Fauziarachman as a representative of the Madu Onggu Local Leader. In addition to them, several local community leaders also witnessed this event.
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In his speech, Udhi Tri Kurniawan conveyed the importance of community-based economic empowerment like this. This program not only focuses on the economic development of farmers, but also on environmental sustainability and the potential development of honeybee-based edu-tourism areas.
“We hope this program will not only increase farmers’ income, but also preserve the environment and create new jobs in the tourism sector,” said Udhi Tri Kurniawan.
As a form of support for this empowerment program, OJK Malang provides capital assistance in the form of non-fee loans and supporting equipment such as personal protective equipment and honey extractors and refractometers. In addition, a number of funds were also provided to purchase feed during the lean season. In the future, this area will be managed as a honey bee edu-tourism destination with the hope of attracting tourists while providing education about beekeeping.
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Representing the ROIS OJK Malang, Erna Tigayanti gave appreciation to Dompet Dhuafa for always persistently embracing rural farmers. She said that collaboration with Dompet Dhuafa has been harmoniously established, resulting in many empowerment programs that benefit the wider community.
“This collaboration with Dompet Dhuafa is a form of our commitment to empowering the community and developing local economic potential,” he said. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and photo: Riza Muthohar, DD East Java
Editor: Dhika