Restoring Hope for a Quranic Teacher Through Raising Arabian Village Chickens

In a simple coop in Kampung Pondok, Pabuaran Village, Kemang District, Bogor Regency, rows of Arabian village chickens busily peck at feed. From this coop, new hope has emerged for Muhammad Yahya, a 50-year-old Quranic teacher now engaged in raising laying chickens as part of an empowerment programme by Dompet Dhuafa.

Initially, Yahya received assistance comprising 250 Arabian village chickens. However, not all of the birds survived the journey. Some died due to weather conditions and the adaptation process to the new coop environment. Nevertheless, the coop remained productive. Approximately 150 eggs are produced daily from the laying chickens he tends.

“The eggs can remain fresh for up to 30 days, so there is sufficient time for distribution,” Yahya told Republika whilst feeding his laying chickens on Wednesday, 11 March 2026.

Periodically, Yahya sends his farming output to Zona Madina, an integrated community empowerment zone based on waqf principles located in Parung, Bogor.

The managers of Zona Madina then market the eggs to agents and shops that form part of their distribution network. Under this system, the number of eggs Yahya sends is calculated each month. After deducting operational costs such as feed, vitamins and vaccines, Yahya receives a net income that he can take home to support his family.

Currently, the net income Yahya receives from the farming enterprise ranges between Rp1.2 million and Rp2 million per month. According to Yahya, the economic change for his family has not been dramatic. However, the presence of stable income provides a glimmer of financial certainty that he previously lacked.

“Now there is hope with our participation in the Zona Madina ecosystem; the outlook has become clear,” Yahya said.