Beyond The Pastures
The photos below were taken during an assignment by the Hajj Fund Management Agency Republic of Indonesia (BPKH) in the production of a video program for a cattle ranch. BPKH, along with The National Board of Zakat Republic of Indonesia (BAZNAS), distributed more than 40 cattle to underprivileged communities in the cities and regencies of Bima, West Nusa Tenggara. Watch the video here.
West Nusa Tenggara has long been known as a primary supplier of beef since the Dutch colonial era, estimated to span more than two centuries. Cattle farming is not just about consumption; it also involves socio-economic, educational, and spiritual interests.
The provincial government of West Nusa Tenggara once launched a flagship program called Bumi Sejuta Sapi (BSS) on December 17, 2008, aiming to accelerate the self-sufficiency program for beef as a step to alleviate poverty. This program has propelled West Nusa Tenggara to rank eighth as the largest cattle producer in Indonesia, with a cattle population reaching 658,800 in 2009.
The BSS program also generated employment for 387,882 individuals in 2015. Additionally, the Livestock Farmer Exchange Rate (NTPN), according to the analysis by Statistics Indonesia (BPS), averaged 108.70 in 2014, which increased to 114.85 in 2015. Currently, data collected by BPS in 2021 indicates that the cattle population in West Nusa Tenggara exceeds 1 million.
