Cabinet Secretary's Purchase of 35 Sacrificial Cattle Boosts Boyolali Livestock Farmers' Economy

The Cabinet Secretary (Seskab) Teddy Indra Wijaya’s purchase of 35 sacrificial cattle from local farmers in Boyolali, Central Java, has positively impacted the local economy, particularly for small-scale livestock farmers in the area. Farmers expressed gratitude for the large-scale sale of their cattle ahead of Eid al-Adha 1447 Hijriyah, stating that the government’s sacrificial animal procurement programme significantly boosted local farmers’ and livestock breeders’ income. ‘I am overjoyed, and I thank Allah profusely. As a small farmer from a village often deemed unworthy, my cattle met the criteria. This has been a tremendous help for livestock farmers in Senden Village and across Boyolali,’ said one farmer. The purchased cattle averaged one ton in weight and included premium breeds such as Limousin and Simental. All sacrificial animals were confirmed healthy and met the requirements for distribution across various regions during Eid al-Adha. TRANSPORTATION PROCESS In a video posted on the @catatanseskab Instagram account on Tuesday (26 May), the cattle transportation process took place from morning until night. ‘From morning to afternoon and now into the evening, we are ready to deliver the 35 cattle ordered by the Cabinet Secretary. There are many, and their average size is one ton,’ the video stated. One farmer revealed he initially only heard that Seskab Teddy was seeking cattle for sacrificial purposes but was surprised when all his livestock were purchased. ‘Yesterday, I happened to hear that the Cabinet Secretary needed cattle, and all my cows were bought up,’ he said. Not only selling his own cattle, the farmer also assisted in offering nearby residents’ livestock to the Cabinet Secretariat. As a result, several local farmers’ cattle were purchased for Eid al-Adha sacrificial use. ECONOMIC ACTIVITY BOOST Farmers said the large-scale cattle purchase has been a blessing amid the still-unstable economic conditions. Alongside boosting farmers’ income, the transaction has also stimulated economic activity in the livestock and animal distribution sectors. ‘As local livestock farmers and small-scale farmers, this programme has been a huge help,’ another farmer added. Boyolali has long been recognised as a major cattle farming hub in Central Java. Ahead of Eid al-Adha, demand for sacrificial animals typically surges, providing a crucial opportunity for farmers to boost sales. The Cabinet Secretary’s cattle purchase has created opportunities for small-scale farmers to market their livestock more widely. Farmers hope similar initiatives will continue in future years to further improve the welfare of local farmers and livestock breeders. (Ant/E-2)