MADIUN, EAST JAVA – Surrounded by paddy fields under a bright sky, slightly clouded and low, stand two sheep pens built through Dompet Dhuafa’s empowerment. That afternoon, on Monday (21/8/2023), after completing a four-rakat prayer, Benny Wijaya prepared to wear the uniform of the Sentra Ternak DD Farm Madiun. As the head of DD Farm Madiun, he is responsible for overseeing all pen activities carried out by the pen staff (ABK).
DD Farm Madiun is one of Dompet Dhuafa’s livestock programs for economic empowerment. DD Farm aims to gather local farmers to become independent, empowered, and integrated, with a promising market. Not just in Madiun, DD Farm has also been established in several other areas across Indonesia.
The sheep farm in Jatisari Village, Geger Subdistrict, Madiun, began construction in 2020. However, the empowerment initiative started in 2018 with a partnership concept alongside Dompet Dhuafa. Benny mentioned that he became the Head of DD Farm Madiun in October 2022, replacing the previous head, Eko Aris Setyawan.
Baca juga: Setahun Gabung di DD Farm Yogyakarta, Sudigda Serap Ilmu Beternak hingga Mampu Berdaya
Experiencing significant growth, DD Farm Madiun later collaborated with BRILiaN Farm to build another new pen in January 2023. This new pen was inaugurated in March 2023. The collaboration with BRILiaN Farm is believed to extend the program’s beneficiary reach.
Indeed, besides adding staff from nearby residents, DD Farm, through its 2023 Tebar Hewan Kurban (THK) Program, managed to supply as many as 600 sheep. About 500 were used as sacrificial animals, with their meat distributed to 8,000 benefit recipients.
“For the THK 2023, we spread sheep to several areas covering the Madiun residency, including five districts: Madiun, Ponorogo, Ngawi, Magetan, and Pacitan. The reach extended to 35 subdistricts and 60 villages, benefiting around 8,000 people,” Benny revealed.
Now, after the THK 2023 Program, DD Farm Madiun has 100 animals left, which will be prepared for next year’s THK Program. Meanwhile, Benny and his team will continue to maximize the pen’s capacity, which can accommodate up to 1,300 animals – 800 in the old pen and 500 in the new one.
Baca juga: Kelola Kurban THK, DD Farm Ronting Jangkau 3963 KK Penerima Manfaat Di Dua Kabupaten
Additionally, during the THK 2023, Dompet Dhuafa East Java successfully distributed about 1,800 animals, reaching beneficiaries in the East Java region.
Besides preparing for the THK Program, other activities at DD Farm Madiun include training sessions, breeding, fattening, and direct sales. For daily activities, Benny leads his team in producing their feed, treating sick animals, and processing and selling sheep manure to farmers who need it for agricultural fertilizer.
“We process our feed. The main ingredient, of course, is grass. Every day, we can produce one ton of feed for two days’ use,” Benny explained.
To support this feed provision, DD Farm Madiun empowers eight farmers located near the pen to supply grass. (Dompet Dhuafa/Muthohar)