To restore their coastal customary territory, the Sendana Indigenous Community processes fish waste into animal feed.

The Sendana Indigenous Community in Sendana District, Majene Regency, West Sulawesi, faces multiple pressures on their coastal customary territories. Amidst increasing exploitation of natural resources to support national development, including the National Capital City project, the Sendana Indigenous Community on the coast must contend with the ecological impacts of C-type mining activities. Fishery waste and unsold surplus crops from residents' gardens also have the potential to become new environmental burdens. However, amidst the mounting problems, the community has found a way to mobilize.

Through facilitated initiatives AMAN In Majene, the Sendana Indigenous Community formed the KUMA To Malolo Indigenous Business Group to organize and manage fishery and plantation waste into animal feed. This initiative not only aims to increase income but is also part of a strategy to protect the coastal Sendana Indigenous Territory. The activity began with a customary meeting involving customary leaders, women, and Indigenous Youth, along with AMAN Majene, to prepare work steps and form an implementation team.

Technical training was held in December 2024, beginning with capacity building in business management and production cost analysis. Groups learned how to calculate cost structures, develop marketing strategies, and assign roles: from machine operators and raw material gatherers to recruiting local livestock partners. An agreement was also reached on profit-sharing, providing funding for Indigenous Peoples and organizations.

The training continues with technical practices in feed processing: such as mixing ingredients, measuring doses, and operating the chopping machine. pulper, and pellets. In addition, participants learned to recognize the nutritional value of the ingredients used. Awareness was strengthened that feed is not just about how much livestock eats, but also about the quality of the feed. This activity was attended by 33 participants from various backgrounds, including Indigenous Women and Indigenous Youth, who were directly involved in training and the use of production equipment.

As part of strengthening the collective economic infrastructure, the group built a 6x6 meter production house. This house stands on land lent to one of the members. The house is also equipped with machinery for feed production and packaging: a shredder, a feed processing machine, and a feed processing machine. pulper, pellet machines, packaging screen printing machines, sack sewing machines, and scales.

Monitoring and evaluation are conducted routinely every month, providing room for continuous improvement. Among the recommendations are the importance of further capacity building, the establishment of Indigenous Community-Owned Enterprises (BUMMA) at the district level to support marketing, and the recording of the nutritional value of feed products to ensure they are competitive in the wider market.

Waste that was once thrown away has now become an opportunity. The group's ability to process excess harvests and fish catches into economically valuable animal feed has increased dramatically. In the long term, this practice is part of the coastal restoration strategy of the Sendana Indigenous Territory, which has been ecologically damaged by C-type mining activities. By leveraging the local economic potential based on waste, they are reviving the values ​​of mutual cooperation and the wisdom they possess in managing and protecting their customary territory.

The Sendana Indigenous Community is creating the foundation for a resilient collective economic system amidst the ecological crisis and increasingly complex economic pressures. This collective economic effort also fosters solidarity and the consolidation of the Sendana Indigenous Community as active participants in the protection of their customary territories. They are not only safeguarding their customary territories but also building a more independent and dignified future.