SERANG, BANTEN — Without delay, Muslim community will soon celebrate Eid al-Adha 1445 Hijriah. Responding to the enthusiastic participation of the community in sacrificial rituals, Dompet Dhuafa (DD) Farm—a livestock farm and economic empowerment program owned by Dompet Dhuafa—has begun supplying sacrificial animals such as sheep and cattle. On Monday (8/4/2024), Member of the Board of Trustees of Dompet Dhuafa Republika Foundation (YDDR), Yudi Latif, inspected the preparations of DD Farm Banten to welcome the Animal Sacrifice Program (THK) 1445 H.
Accompanied by General Manager of Branch Development and Manager of Zakat Partners (MPZ) Dompet Dhuafa, Bobby Manullang, and Supervisor of the Indonesian Human Resources Foundation (SDMI), Yayat Supriatna, Yudi Latif visited the farm located in Cikeusal, Serang Regency, Banten.
Agus Salim, the responsible person of DD Farm Banten, stated that in the five months leading up to Eid al-Adha 1445 H, they have prepared the availability of sacrificial animals. They have targeted 1000 goats and 36 cows for sacrificial purposes, focusing on underserved areas such as Kabupaten Serang, Lebak, Pandeglang, and Tangerang.
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This year’s preparation differs from last year. Plasma Gaya Baru is DD Farm’s main strategy for this year. Agus explained that plasma refers to small-scale farms that provide only pens and farm labor. These plasma farms are spread across Kabupaten Serang, Lebak, and Pandeglang, with a total population of sacrificial animals amounting to 250 goats.
Unlike other plasma farms that rely on profits from livestock results, DD Farm—as a core farm—chooses to provide fair wages to its plasma farmers every month. Not to mention, DD Farm Banten also provides education on livestock treatment and sales strategies. According to Agus, in developing this, they collaborate with relevant departments, veterinarians, consultants, and the founder of DD Farm, Tubagus Latif Haris.
“Why is it called a new style? Because unlike other plasmas, where farmers enjoy the results at the end when their farms yield results, DD Farm chooses to provide regular salaries every month to plasma farmers. There are five people in each location. If the results are good, they also get more benefits. The goal is to empower the community and develop new farmers,” Agus explained.
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After discussing the development of DD Farm Banten, Yudi Latif responded with feedback and suggestions for the involved managers. Yudi conveyed that educating about modern farming could make beneficiaries more productive. Each unit should stitch together knowledge and share it. He mentioned that DD Farm should not only be seen as a farm but also as a knowledge aggregator.
“This is an investment in knowledge, where beneficiaries become productive and empowered. The benefits are not only for the beneficiaries but also for DD Farm itself. Each unit should stitch together their respective knowledge to create shared knowledge. Failures and successes in farming procedures should be recorded to serve as learning experiences elsewhere,” Yudi concluded. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and Photo: Hany Fatihah Ahmad
Editor: Dhika Prabowo