Cattle Farming Improves Farmers' Welfare

Indonesia's reliance on palm oil aligns with the demands and needs of industry. However, not all farms and palm oil farmers derive substantial profits from it. For example, farmers from the Tebo Farmers Union (STT) in Kelapa Kembar Hamlet, Lubuk Mandarsyah Village, Tengah Ilir District, Jambi. STT farmers are among those forced to cultivate oil palm due to circumstances. Their oil palm land holdings range from 2-5 hectares. Land holdings of less than 10 hectares are insufficient to provide for farmers' well-being, considering the costs of maintenance, operations, and other technical aspects. Fluctuating palm oil prices also contribute; sometimes prices drop significantly in the market, forcing farmers to seek alternative sources of income. Farmers' dependence on chemical fertilizers is also a problem because these products are often scarce on the market.

This situation is exacerbated by the lack of school infrastructure, which impacts the quality of children's learning. Previously, STT members sent their children to a neighboring village with a school. The school is approximately 6 kilometers away and requires walking. The community has independently built a simple school building. It has been operating for four years and now has 60 students and five teachers.

These economic and educational challenges were addressed through cattle farming and the construction of more suitable school buildings. Cattle farming was intended to increase the income of STT members. The cattle management system employed a profit-sharing system between the livestock keepers and the organization. The cattle were also used to produce compost or organic fertilizer, reducing dependence on chemical fertilizers and lowering operational costs. The construction of suitable schools supported children's education. The cattle farming initiative holds a potential economic benefit of Rp49.500.000 per year, calculated from the livestock breeding and fattening process. The social impact of the program reached 6.697 people, comprising 2.633 men, 2.391 women, and 1.673 youth.