Protecting Territory, Tradition, and the Environment: Free-Range Chickens from the Kajang Indigenous Community

In the Ammatowa Kajang Traditional Territory, free-range chickens are part of the customary system and a symbol of respect for ancestors. Many Kajang rituals require free-range chickens. However, in recent years, the demand for free-range chickens has often been unmet due to limited availability. This situation has prompted an initiative to develop collective free-range chicken farming within the Ammatowa Kajang Traditional Territory. 

The Ammatowa Kajang Indigenous Community is currently defending its land against the threat of a company's upcoming extension of its HGU (land use permit). The initiative to develop a collective economy in the customary area is expected to bolster the spirit of all residents in the collective struggle for their land. 

Indigenous Community Business Group – KUMA Ma'lopi-lopi formed through village deliberations involving traditional leaders, women, and youth, as a form of collective effort to manage the potential of customary areas while also addressing the needs of the Kajang Indigenous Community for economic, cultural, and environmental sustainability.

Previously, free-range chicken farming in Kajang was carried out traditionally, using a free-range system around home yards. This practice often led to soil and water pollution problems due to poorly managed chicken manure. Furthermore, the pollution also negatively impacted residents' health. 

In the initiative KUMA Ma'lopi-lopi The free-range pattern was abandoned, the chickens were kept in two cages built through mutual cooperation in the customary area of ​​about one hectare. 

The group has begun raising 800 local free-range chickens collectively, using a more environmentally friendly management system. The chickens are fed natural, locally sourced feed, such as corn, rice bran, and leaves, readily available in the traditional area, in an effort to reduce production costs and reduce dependence on expensive and infrequently available manufactured feed. 

After drying, the chicken manure is processed into manure, which is then spread to fertilize the plants around the pens and yards. Any excess manure can be sold for additional income. This waste management also ensures a clean environment. These approaches not only improve livestock quality and strengthen self-reliance but also contribute to the preservation of indigenous territories.

In collective management, the space for participation is also more widely open, members of the Indigenous Peoples Business Group – KUMA Ma'lopi-lopi A group of men and women, including Indigenous Youth, worked together to build a coop and raise free-range chickens. The learning process was conducted informally, including through social media and discussions with other farmers. This process led to increased skills and knowledge in managing environmentally friendly livestock farming among group members. This enthusiasm spread to communities surrounding the indigenous territory, who began to express interest in learning and adopting similar approaches in their own communities.

The livestock farm's location within customary territory also facilitates the Indigenous Community's access to free-range chickens, especially when needed for traditional rituals. This reduces dependence on external supplies, and ensures a more stable supply of free-range chickens. Furthermore, the group has partnered with a restaurant in Bulukumba City, opening up broader marketing channels for free-range chickens. Going forward, a portion of profits will also be allocated to strengthen the Kajang Indigenous Community's efforts.

Despite this, several challenges remain. The high cost of manufactured cage materials and feed was initially a barrier, as was the limited availability of equipment such as feed-making machines. The group developed a strategy to overcome these challenges by producing feed from local ingredients, adjusting the budget, and proposing further training and procuring supporting equipment.

Through free-range chickens, the Kajang Indigenous Community reconnects their struggle for survival with traditional values ​​and the preservation of their traditional territories. The community's economic institution, KUMA Ma'lopi-lopi, also serves as a collective business space aligned with the values ​​and rhythms of life of the Kajang Indigenous Community.