SUKABUMI, WEST JAVA — After successfully cultivating hydroponic melons in a greenhouse area of 1,600 square meters, Dompet Dhuafa is now expanding its steps by cultivating Kenyan baby chickpea plants in an open area of 200 square meters. Through productive waqf at Dompet Dhuafa’s Tahfizh Green Lido Islamic Boarding School (PTGL), Sukabumi, covering an area of around 2.2 hectares, this crop was chosen because it has promising business opportunities.
In early November 2024, the program has successfully held its first harvest. As well as marking an important achievement in efforts to empower local farmers through innovative and sustainable agriculture. On Thursday (7/11/2024) was the third harvest of baby Kenya chickpeas carried out by Dompet Dhuafa.
The economic empowerment program mobilizes the potential of local farmers through provision and guidance, and access to modern agricultural technology aimed at increasing their productivity and welfare.
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One of the local farmers who participated in this empowerment is Tusih (50), a farmer and resident of Cicurug Village, Lido, Sukabumi. Tusih has joined Dompet Dhuafa for 2-3 months. He feels happy to be accepted and can get a more stable income than his previous job.
His daily life as a farmer makes him more accustomed to taking care of this Kenyan-type plant. Tusih said that when he was in elementary school he had worked odd jobs to meet his daily needs, including being a farm laborer. Moving from one job to another has become a friend to him.
While managing baby chickpeas, Tusih revealed that the process of planting seeds to harvesting takes a shorter time, namely 45 days. In addition, the cultivation and maintenance process is relatively easier, baby chickpeas simply use shorter supporting bamboo.
Besides the ease of managing and cultivating baby chickpea plants, Tusih is very grateful that he has a more stable income. So that he can fulfill the daily needs of his family.
“I used to work odd jobs, not enough for my daily needs so I helped my parents,” he continued.
“Alhamdulillah, working here, even though it is suitable and balanced with my abilities, I am happy, hopefully it will progress in the future. Alhamdulillah, I have my own income now from here,” explained Tusih.
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Before joining Dompet Dhuafa, Tusih had been a security guard at one of the cafes in Lido, but this did not make Tusih feel comfortable. He was then offered to join in managing agriculture in the PTGL Dompet Dhuafa area.
“I used to be like this (farmer), from my previous boss, planting vegetables. Then I moved to the cafe, but I didn’t fit in the cafe, in the security department. Then I was offered by one of the ustaz here, taught to hoe, pour (flow) fertilizer, plant. Alhamdulillah, we are harvesting now,” said Tusih.
“I have only been working here (PTGL) for two and a half months. Alhamdulillah, the harvest has arrived. Hopefully I can feel at home here and continue to be useful,” Tusih told Dompet Dhuafa.
Despite entering old age, Tusih continues to work hard. He never expects gifts from his children. Because he feels he is still able to be the backbone of the family.
“I don’t want to bother my children, because I am still capable, I am still strong so I want to do my own business first, thanks to Dompet Dhuafa I have a more stable income,” added Tusih.
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Through this initiative, farmers are taught efficient and environmentally friendly farming techniques. Dompet Dhuafa also provides access to capital, superior seeds, and a wider market, so that crops can be sold at more competitive prices. This is expected to improve the quality of life of farmers with better yields and more stable income.
Based on data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Indonesia is among the top 3 producers of Kenyan chickpeas besides China and India, producing 60% of the world’s total demand. So it is no wonder that the international market is eagerly looking for the production of Kenyan chickpeas from Indonesia.
In one planting cycle, this bean field can be harvested around 8-10 times, with a total expected yield of 100 kilograms. For the distribution of the harvest, Dompet Dhuafa has partnered with Karya Masyarakat Mandiri (KMM) Dompet Dhuafa and KSIP Argo-a private agricultural company engaged in exports, in the plan to export these beans to Singapore.
In the future, the chickpea cultivation land will be expanded to 1,000-1,200 square meters in order to achieve a more optimal economic scale. With a larger land area, it is expected that the profits earned can be greater, which in turn will increase the number of waqf beneficiaries.
Currently, the waqf land is also utilized as a learning medium for modern agriculture to improve the soft skills of the students at PTGL. In addition, it is hoped that this agricultural area will become part of the productive waqf portfolio that can support the operations of Pesantren Tahfidz Green Lido in the future. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and photo: Anndini Dwi Putri
Editor: Dhika