Baznas Launches 'Balai Ternak' Programme in Kendal to Empower Mustahik

The National Amil Zakat Agency (Baznas) of Indonesia, together with Baznas Kendal Regency and the Kalirejo Village Government, has officially launched the Balai Ternak Kendal programme in Kangkung District, Kendal Regency, Central Java. The programme targets 30 mustahik livestock breeders from the Rejoagung Livestock Group with total funding of Rp836,079,000. It serves as a pilot for pentahelix collaboration between Baznas, local government, and the local community in an effort to trigger regional economic growth stimulus. Mokhamad Mahdum, Head of the Digitalisation, Finance, and Operations Division at Baznas RI, stated that this productive zakat programme is designed to break the dependency on aid by transforming mustahik into self-reliant individuals capable of helping others. “This is a productive zakat programme. The hope is that the beneficiaries or recipients of zakat, infak, and sedekah funds can gradually change their economic situation, own their own businesses, and at a certain point become independent, and it is even hoped they can help other people,” Mahdum explained. He also noted that the livestock centre in Kendal Regency officially marks the 60th point out of a total of 70 Balai Ternak programmes developed by Baznas RI across various regions of Indonesia. Furthermore, Mahdum mentioned that this livestock centre applies an integrated farming system concept. The project combines the cultivation of superior crossbred sheep, upstream-downstream compost fertiliser production, as well as fattening businesses for qurban and daily sales. Mahdum then urged residents of Kendal Regency to channel their zakat, infak, and sedekah through official institutions so that the funds can be managed into various productive business programmes with real impact. “I urge the people of Kendal, if they are paying zakat, giving infak, or sedekah, to try and do so through Baznas, because with Baznas we can create productive businesses such as ZCoffee, Z-Auto, ZChicken, and ZMart,” he said. Meanwhile, Kendal Regent Dyah Kartika Permanasari appreciated the Baznas Balai Ternak programme in Kalirejo Village, which she sees as a form of cross-sector pentahelix collaboration to provide broad benefits to the community. To ensure the programme’s sustainability, the Kendal Regency Government is committed to providing regular assistance and monitoring, as well as encouraging breeders to process manure waste into packaged organic fertiliser to supply the central agricultural areas around the site. “And including the Balai Ternak here in Kalirejo, our hope is that it’s not just about goat breeding, but also about other business developments, including the utilisation of the manure,” said Dyah. On the other hand, Ahmad Darodji, Chairman of Baznas Central Java Province, appreciated the significant surge in fund collection achievements by Baznas Kendal Regency, which is now projected to reach Rp14 billion this year. He also stressed that all public funds collected through Baznas Kendal are guaranteed to be fully allocated to boost the welfare of local residents without any being channelled to the provincial or central government. “Around 8 years ago, Central Java’s poverty rate was still almost 11 to 12 per cent. But within these 8 years it has dropped, and inshaallah, because we are all urging Baznas in every city to make its distribution productive distribution. So it is that distribution that will lift the community out of poverty,” he said.