The Struggles of Tulakadi Villagers

The villagers of Tulakadi utilize dry land to grow corns and yams. The absence of irrigation system leads to drought which allows the crops to be harvestable only once a year. The nearest upwelling has the distance of roughly 500 meters from the village. Even though there is water pipe that goes through the village, the availability of the water running through the pipe mostly depends on rainfall.

The women along with their children have to travel the distance of 500 meters to the nearest upwelling while carrying jerry cans to collect water

During dry season which lasts around 4 months, the water barely reaches the village which eventually renders difficulties in obtaining clean water. Consequently, the villagers have to carry jerry cans and travel 1 kilometer round-trip to collect water. This situation worsens their standard of living, from the struggles to obtain drinking water to crop failures due to irrigation problems. Ultimately, they have to find alternatives to generate better income, which is raising livestock.

The Piggery Development

Nevertheless, the farm capital to raise pigs is considerably high, allowing only few villagers who are able to do the job. For instance, a one-month old piglet costs IDR 1,200,000, the pigfeed required for 6 months costs around IDR 500,000 - 700,000, and the cost to build the hog pen is IDR 4,000,000. The pig is eligible to be sold after it reaches the age of 6 month, which costs around IDR 3,000,000. However, the profit will be used to cover the debt used for 6 months to raise the pig.

A hog pen made from trunks

A one-month old piglet belongs to Tulakadi villagers

The pigfeed which consists of rice bran and sweet potato (sometimes mixed with tofu dreg)

After thorough discussion with several Tulakadi villagers, we decided to form groups to manage a piggery. They refuse the seed donation program for the time being due to lack of irrigation facilities which may lead to the tendency of crop failure. Moreover, the women who live alone usually don't have time to work in the field which is located 500 meters from their home because they have to weave while taking care of their children.

Project Description

Project de Fahi is a piggery development project done by villagers of Tulakadi with the help of RAMAHIJA along with those who want to contribute to the cause. This project has a purpose to develop the indigenous communities in Tulakadi village, where they could:

• generate more income so they can have savings to fulfill their food and health needs as well as to pay the school fees for their children.
• develop organizational skills through various trainings, such as fund management, financial planning, and financial record.
• stand on their own feet, where they can be less dependent on their spouses, debt-free, and are able to manage the funds obtained from the piggery through reinvestment.

Project Justification

The majority of women in Tulakadi village have to live alone with their children because their husbands have to leave the village to earn a better living. They have to earn additional income by farming to cover the expenses. However, due to insufficient capital, they have to apply for high-interest loan from Credit Union.

We believe a piggery is the right decision as our first step to solve the problems in Tulakadi village, where it is based on the following factors: 

• the lack of irrigation facilities encourages the villagers of Tulakadi to raise livestock instead of growing crops.
• the women who live alone do not have time to work in the field because they spend most of their time weaving while taking care of their children.
• the topography of Tulakadi village with the slope of 25-40% and its dry land allows the possibility of raising livestock.

Source of Funding

RAMAHIJA along with those who want to contribute will donate five one-month old piglets, pigfeed, and a hog pen for starter. After 5 to 6 months, the pigs will be sold at the local market and the profit will be allocated to raise and breed more pigs, build more hog pens, and buy vitamins.

A one-month old piglet costs IDR 1,2 million and the pigfeed costs around IDR 500,000 - 700,000, while the cost to build the animal cage is IDR 4,000,000. Hence, the required funds to establish this project would cost around IDR 12,500,000 - 13,500,000. The obtained funds from this project will be managed by village community with the supervision of RAMAHIJA.

Transparency

The required funds to establish the impact projects will be obtained and accumulated from the allocation of our product profit margin. You may contribute to the cause by appreciating the works of our Mamas featured with the innovation of RAMAHIJA. Every purchase plays a part in the development of indigenous communities and villages in Timor Island.

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