Towards Village Economic Independence through Poultry Business |

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The Seumirah village, Nisam Antara, Aceh Utara (Indonesia), was formerly known as an area of ​​armed conflict. In one of the remote villages in North Aceh, there are frequent firefights that often result in casualties among the civilian population. Seumirah is better known as a village that is prone to security disturbances, even though this area has economic potential that is able to improve the welfare of its people.

This potential is now being optimized by the North Aceh District Government through the Community and Gampong Empowerment Service (DPMG). The choice is not the agricultural sector which is Nisam Antara's advantage, but the livestock sector through the development of a beef chicken business and cattle fattening managed by the Gampong (read: Village) -Owned Enterprise (BUMG).

The beef chicken farming and cattle fattening business in Seumirah are managed by BUMG Beudoh Beusare which was initiated in 2020 with an initial capital of IDR 1.2 billion. "We used the capital to build a representative cage, complete with evaporation and air circulation equipment," said Keuchik Seumirah, Lukman, Saturday, April 16, 2022.

According to Lukman, BUMG Beudoh Beusare has now provided a profit of up to Rp500 million per year. Currently, they have tens of thousands of chickens weighing 1.8 kg per head and are ready to supply their meat needs to welcome Eid Al-Fitr 1443 Hijrah.

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When receiving a visit from the Nisam Antara sub-district head, Azhar, Lukman admitted that the beef chicken and beef fattening business is not only capable of accommodating workers, but also a driving force for the village economy. This effort also helps regional food security. "Since 2020, we have harvested 12 times," said Lukman.

According to him, the need for permanent workers is 4 people in the cage and 15 village youths are employed when it is harvest time to lift chickens into trucks. This does not include follow-up labor such as from the buyer's side and arriving at the final consumer.

In managing the business, Lukman and village officials adhere to the principle of openness. The profits they get go directly to the village treasury. "Sometimes we also hold social actions by supporting orphans," said Lukman.

In addition, they also use the profits for business expansion by fattening cattle. The Seumirah area is very supportive of this business because it has a large area of ​​land and available raw materials for cattle feed.

The Regent of Aceh Utara, Muhammad Thaib, said that the beef chicken and beef fattening business in Seumirah is an effort to build an economically independent village that can provide welfare to the community.

"The community's efforts also help support food needs in the region, not only North Aceh but also in surrounding districts and cities. Slowly we have to reduce our dependence on food from outside Aceh,” said the Regent who was accompanied by the Head of Public Relations of the North Aceh Regional Secretariat, Hamdani.

He appealed to other BUMGs to become community economic development institutions as well as to create job opportunities for the local young generation. "We always encourage the independence of BUMG to become the locomotive of the village economy. We cannot forever depend on oil and gas revenue-sharing funds, special autonomy funds, or the Special Allocation Funds whose numbers continue to shrink," said Muhammad Thaib, who is familiarly called Cek Mad.

On various occasions, Cek Mad reminded us that village funds should be optimized not only for physical development but more importantly for developing human resources and encouraging economic independence.

“Funds from the PNPM Mandiri program are also gradually transferred to BUMG in accordance with existing regulations. Accountability must also be clear and there should be no leaks," said Cek Mad reminded.[]

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