Sustainable Livelihood for Indigenous People through Integration of Livestock and Organic Farming in Northern Sumatra

22-0806-07

Project Profile

This project will improve the livelihood of indigenous people in Northern Sumatra . Families who have limited access to resources will have the means to increase their income and improve their nutrition. The indigenous communities will become self-reliant and be able to achieve long-term sustainability. The families will raise livestock and plant kitchen gardens in an environmental-friendly ways.

350 families in North Sumatra and Riau provinces will participate in this project. They will receive poultry, fish, pigs and goats. They will also receive vegetable seeds to practice organic farming. Field-based training will be provided, such as improved animal management, forage production, animal house construction, kitchen gardening, integrated pest management[2], compost making process, food processing, agricultural product marketing, etc.

Heifer Indonesia is the project holder.

In Sumatra minor organic farming has emerged and promoted by either government or non-government initiatives. To strengthen this, there is a strong need to utilize local knowledge to preserve the environment. In this project, 400 pigs, 400 meat goats, 4,500 poultry, 350,000 fishes and vegetable seeds will be provided to 350 families. Another 700 families will participate in this project through passing on the gifts.

200 families will each receive four pigs or four goats. 150 families will each receive 30 chickens or ducks. All 350 families will receive vegetable seeds to start kitchen gardening. About 50% of the participating families will receive fish to diversify their incomes.

The participants will be trained in animal raising and organic farming. They will also receive other training such as Heifer’s cornerstones, human nutrition and gender issues. Animal health services and technical support will be provided. Training will be provided by Heifer Indonesia , NGOs, universities and local government. The participating families will be able to increase their income and send their children to schools.

To promote gender equity, women-headed households will be prioritized as project beneficiaries, since this group is the most vulnerable to poverty, food security and environmental degradation. At least 50% of the beneficiaries will be women. Women will be encouraged to actively participate in various trainings and activities.

Families receiving pigs and goats will pass on the same number of livestock they received within two years. Families receiving poultry will pass on 30 chickens or ducks or the monetary equivalent within one year. For fish and vegetable seeds, families will pass on the monetary equivalent to CBOs within one year. CBOs will use the money to buy livestock and vegetable seeds to pass on to other families.

Under the guidance of NGOs, the CBOs and the beneficiaries will develop the details and pass on criteria. The passing on process will be jointly monitored by NGOs and Heifer Indonesia .

The project participants will also pass on their knowledge and skills to other farmers.

This project also supported by Bothar.

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