GUNUNGKIDUL, YOGYAKARTA —— Attended by the Deputy Regent of Gunungkidul, Heru Susanto, S.Kom, M.Si, on Saturday (16/6/2022), Dompet Dhuafa launched a program to provide animal feed in Gunungkidul to support Dompet Dhuafa’s Livestock Bank through corn farming. This step aims to strengthen the productive zakat program in the economic sector.
In this initial phase, 145 hectares of land mark the beginning of the target of 1,000 hectares. It also empowers 100 farmers in Kapanewon Paliyan, Gunungkidul, Special Region of Yogyakarta. With the rollout of corn farming here, in addition to meeting the target of supplying the DD Farm Dompet Dhuafa feed bank, it will certainly boost the welfare of the local community.
“We appreciate this program. It aligns with the programs we have initiated in the Gunungkidul administration, namely people-centered economy, investment, and tourism. Paliyan is a southern tourism route, a strategic location with high mobility and suitable for developing the local economy,” stated Heru Susanto in his remarks.
In line with Heru Susanto, Rokhmat Asnawi, as the Head of KSP Sejahtera 07 Pampang, which oversees KUB Agro Makmur, Rokhmat Asnawi, said that this cooperation program is a blessing that we should be grateful for. “This program is a gift that we are all grateful for. Hopefully, with this program, farmers can achieve success together. This is a collaboration between KUB Agro Makmur and Dompet Dhuafa. This activity involves 100 farmers in Kapanewon Paliyan. The program is already underway, so it is time for us to unite and work hard to achieve our dreams of success. That way, we can achieve prosperity together.”
Gunung Kidul and the History of Dompet Dhuafa
Gunungkidul was chosen as the starting point for the program not only because of its great potential, but also because of its historical significance in the establishment of Dompet Dhuafa. The activists who preached in Gunungkidul with pooled funds inspired the concept of Dompet Dhuafa. As a result, Dompet Dhuafa has developed many empowerment programs in Gunungkidul.
“We are a zakat management institution (LAZ) that manages zakat, infaq, sadaqah, and waqf funds through various programs. Today, we are collecting zakat funds from donors, which we will then manage through the productive zakat program that you have received. This is part of the DD Farm program that manages food security. At DD Farm, we develop the agriculture, livestock, and fisheries sectors. Alhamdulillah, we were able to start a program to provide forage for livestock to support the Dompet Dhuafa livestock bank in Gunungkidul,” said Muhammad Zahron, Head of the Yogyakarta Branch of Dompet Dhuafa, in his speech at the inauguration.
Zahron added that 145 hectares of the 1,000-hectare target have been started in Paliyan. Three years ago, Dompet Dhuafa began a program to empower honey farmers in the Wanagama forest in collaboration with the Faculty of Forestry at Gadjah Mada University. In addition, there are aloe vera cultivation, teacher welfare improvement, and health posts.
Many smiles were seen on the faces of the farmers present at the program’s inauguration. May the program run smoothly and achieve sustainable success, thereby improving the welfare and economy of the Gunung Kidul community. (Dompet Dhuafa/Taufan YN)