MBM has been working with local farmers to increase community awareness of organic agricultural practices through the Cow Program. The program focuses on two areas: cow fattening and cow breeding. Each cow group also receives the Biogas program if requested.

The process of the program involves staff from MBM going to the village to check that the local people are able to accept the cow program. Each group goes through a socialization process, where they are told about the program, cow maintenance, how to build a cow pen and the expectations of them to be involved with the program.

Each group is made up of between 5 to 10 people. Each person receives two cows as part of the fattening or breeding program. The cows come from a central cow market in Bali. Most of the groups house the cows together and share in the profit. When working with the Cow Groups, commonly an MBM Women’s Group works with the wives of the men.

Cow Program Success Story

Nengah Jenget lives with his wife and three children in Pengotan village, East Bali. He works as a field worker when there is work available and he also looks after two cows as part of 50/50 profit sharing. Unfortunately this was not giving him enough money to save and provide for his family. In 2008, after hearing about the Cow Program run by MBM, he formed the Karya Tani group where each member receives two cows.

Since 2008, Nengah had been onrevolvingloan provided by MBM. The total spending for 6 cows in three periods was IDR 34,650,000 and the selling amount was IDR 47,800,000. The profit he made was IDR 9,055,000 which he used to pay his debt and contribution to his village, and also for his family’s daily needs. He also gives back to MBMsome of his profit. I never imagined that I could make such a big profit. Before joining MBM’s program, I had to wait for two years to make IDR 1,500,000 from the two cows that I raised said Nengah.