Community Development Along the Musi and Lalan Rivers through Livestock Activities  (2002-2007)

This project will work in two communities in South Sumatra. The CBO Bina Usaha is located in the village of Pulokerto along the Musi River in Gandus subdistrict on the farthest outskirts of the city of Palembang. The CBO Harapan Bersama is located in the village of Pulai Gading along the Lalan River in Bayung Lincir subdistrict, Musi Banyuasin district.

Villagers in Pulokerto are mostly poor smallholder farmers and day laborers. Although the area has potential for livestock and fisheries development, however, farmers have only been able to raise others people's cattle. They share the proceeds with the owner after the fattened cattle are sold, but this system is not sustainable. This project will provide 40 families with their own heifers and teach them improved methods of livestock raising. In addition to the offspring, the farmer will also benefit from the manure and animal power for plowing fields.

Villagers in Pulai Gading are relatively recently settled members of the Kubu ethnic group. The Kubu people are traditionally nomadic forest dwellers, but the reduced forests in Sumatra have forced them to seek other means of survival. Some of them are still living a semi-nomadic life on simple houses built upon the Lalan River, while some of them have built homes on land along the riverside. The surrounding land has much potential for livestock and agricultural potential. This project will provide 40 families either heifers, water buffalo, or goats and training in improved livestock management and agricultural production.

This project will:

• Provide 80 families with livestock and training. Sixty families will receive a heifer, 10 families a water buffalo, and 10 families two female and one male goat. Additionally, 10 male cattle and two male buffalo will be provided for breeding purposes.

• Benefit an additional 80 families from animals passed-on by the original recipients.

• Increase income of the families.

• Strengthen values-based management and overall organizational capacity of at least two CBOs

• Increase knowledge, skills, and attitudes of CBO members in livestock and agricultural practices

Project Holder

The Pandu Insani Foundation formed in December 1994 to empower and develop human resources and management and develop natural resources to improve human welfare. Pandu Insani works with 43 CBOs in poor communities in six districts throughout South Sumatra. Activities include family consultation, facilitating and developing CBOs and cooperatives, training in micro-enterprise, agriculture, livestock, gender, empowering street children and their families, and empowering isolated communities.. Pandu Insani has worked with World Vision International, UNDP, ADB, Canada Fund, Social Department, Labor Department, and PT Sinar Mas.

Organizational development of the CBOs will be a large and critical aspect needed for the success of this project. All community organizations will use the Cornerstones Model as the basis for their organizational planning. Trainings will include livestock management, livestock health, care of newly-born offspring, livestock reproduction, livestock feeding and nutrition, forage management, milk production and processing, and composting. NGO staff will also receive training in project management and various technical and agricultural aspects.

Improving the Environment

Both of the project villages are located alongside large rivers. The CBO members agree not to pollute the rivers by ensuring the stalls, grazing areas, and livestock bathing will be done far from the rivers. Manure will be used for fertilizing agricultural crops. They will also plant trees and forage for the livestock to create a green and fresh  environment.

Passing on the Gift

Families will receive one heifer or female water buffalo. After giving birth, the family will own the offspring, while the parent will be passed on to another family after the offspring is weaned at ten months old. The family will be required to pay 10% of the estimated value of the weaned calf to the CBO. For goats, the original recipient will pass on two female and one male goat. If one kid is born, this will belong to the family. If two kids are born, then one kid is owned by the family and the other kid is passed on at four months of age to the CBO.

All original recipients are required to pass on livestock and funds/materials for stalls and medicine equivalent to what they received. They are also required to pass on their knowledge to pass-on families.

Heifer International is providing 72% of the total cost of the budget, Pandu Insani 26%, and the local CBO's are providing 2 %.

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