Government boosts family incomes through Zakat Community Development
The Ministry of Population and Family Development (Kemendukbangga)/BKKBN is collaborating with the National Zakat Agency (Baznas) through the Zakat Community Development (ZCD) Programme to help increase family business incomes.
The programme empowers groups under the Family Income Improvement Business for Acceptors (UPPKA), particularly families who are acceptors or participants of the Family Planning (KB) programme. It serves as one solution for small business operators who struggle to access financing.
“Access to loans is sometimes difficult. This is an easy, fast and appropriate solution for small businesses, and we are collaborating in line with the President’s instructions,” said Minister of Population and Family Development/Head of BKKBN Wihaji in an official statement in Jakarta on Thursday.
Mislaini, chair of the UPPKA Jaya Bersama farmers’ group in Ogan Ilir Regency, South Sumatra, said her group, formed in 2023 with seven members, now has 25 catfish farming ponds.
According to her, the funding assistance and business mentoring also enabled the group to build a borehole well, with construction financed from business profits.
Meanwhile, Utami, chair of the UPPKA Bina Warga farmers’ group in Semarang, Central Java, said the ZCD programme helped her group develop a milkfish and seaweed processing business.
The group, formed in 2023 with eight members, previously carried out production at home. After receiving assistance, business activities are now conducted in a production house with more supportive equipment.
“To this day, the ZCD Programme through the UPPKA farmers’ group has been very helpful. We can support the family economy, so we are more confident, more independent, and able to help our husbands with household needs and children’s education,” said Utami.
Meanwhile, Chairman of Baznas RI Sodik Mudjahid reminded business operators benefiting from the programme to set aside part of their business proceeds through charitable giving so that the benefits received can be passed on to other communities.
The programme resulting from the collaboration between Kemendukbangga/BKKBN and Baznas was officially launched at the Baznas Office in Jakarta on Wednesday (19/8).