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Dear Heifer
International - Indonesia Representative,
First, I would like
to thank Heifer International for the 15 year partnership
with Puspetasari Cooperative in Klaten, Central Java.
There have been many positive impacts from this
relationship.
Human resources
Human resource
development of the cooperative has been the greatest
contribution, which was the primary objective in the
beginning of our partnership. There has been a transfer of
technology to staff in the Livestock and Agriculture
Division, beginning in 1983, with the dairy cattle
extension and training program in the village of Karang
Poh. Puspetasari staff and farmers participants realized
that the extension and training activities very
effectively increased their knowledge and skills by
sharing experiences and learning together. Topics related
to dairying included livestock health management, milking
management, milk production and post-production
management, livestock housing, reproduction, and
forage/feed management. 
Heifer International
provided Puspetasari with feed formulations, which up to
this day are still used. In fact, an entire feed
manufacturing division, Nutrifeed KJUB Puspetasari, arose
out of this and provides quality feeds for various
livestock species. This feed factory provides a lot of the
income to support Puspetasari's other enterprises.
Farmers
As a cooperative
that serves its farmer members, the Puspetasari-Heifer
International partnership has allowed us to help fulfill
the farmers' vision. Heifer International initially
provided 114 dairy cattle to 63 families. Through
dedicated and persistent efforts by Puspetasari and the
farm families, this has now resulted in 676 dairy cattle
being provided to 216 families in Central Java.
Production and
Financial Aspects
In 1982, we only had
one office, with seven rooms, a rice mill, a storehouse,
and 35 employees. There was no telephone, and electricity
was provided by one diesel generator. In a short time,
1983, at the beginning of the Puspetasari-Heifer
International partnership, we were able to add an office
building and two field offices, and staff increased to
100. The activities of Puspetasari quickly increased to
reach markets throughout the islands of Java and
Kalimantan, and even some export markets.
Puspetasari started
off as a simple rice mill cooperative in 1987. We have now
become a legal entity, with divisions in agriculture,
livestock, furniture, and a cooperative selling basic
commodities. In 2000, we employed 527 staff and tens of
contracted workers. We have even been able to establish a
company that deals with employee needs such as health
services and a general store.
Thank you for the
good working relationship that we have had.
Puspetasari
Director,
Mr. Bambang
Wibisono, Ir. |
