Mahalnya Nilai "TENANG", Seorang Analis Di Singapura Pilih Resign & Ternak Domba Di Desa!

Journey into Sheep Farming: Surya's Story

Transition from Banking to Agriculture

• Surya discusses the advice he received about moving from Blitar to Purwokerto, emphasizing the importance of connections in starting anew.

• The decision was made for everyone to relocate to Blitar to start a sheep farm, which Surya initially found hard to believe five years ago.

Background and Motivation

• Surya introduces himself as the owner of Garung Farm in Blitar, focusing on sheep farming inspired by his late father's dream of returning to their roots.

• He reflects on the historical significance of shepherding in religious contexts, noting that many prophets were shepherds, which influenced his choice of livestock.

Starting Challenges and Learning Curve

• Surya shares his childhood passion for animals and how it led him back into agriculture after a decade-long banking career.

• He began his farming journey during the COVID pandemic in 2020 after resigning from his bank job, highlighting the challenges faced due to lack of experience.

Initial Struggles with Farming

• Early challenges included high mortality rates among livestock due to inadequate knowledge about animal care and nutrition.

• Surya emphasizes that modern challenges involve filtering information rather than just seeking it out; he learned through trial and error by visiting farms and watching YouTube videos.

Key Insights on Livestock Management

• He identifies five critical components for successful livestock management: feed quality being paramount before considering housing or purchasing animals.

• The initial focus on expanding herd size without understanding nutritional needs led to significant losses early on.

Reflections on Career Transition

• After resigning, Surya considered pursuing further education abroad but ended up exploring various business ventures that ultimately did not succeed.

• His background in finance allowed him some insight into consulting for small businesses but was complicated by pandemic restrictions affecting client interactions.

Internal Investigations and Personal Struggles

The Impact of Internal Scrutiny

• The speaker reflects on a six-month internal investigation, expressing feelings of stress and frustration over being suspected despite not receiving any money from clients.

• Concerns arise about the potential consequences of decisions made during the investigation, fearing that they could be seen as detrimental to the state due to working at a state-owned bank.

• The speaker recalls examples of others who faced severe penalties for procedural missteps, highlighting the fear of imprisonment stemming from unintentional errors.

Family Dynamics During Crisis

• A notable visit from a former minister to show support for someone imprisoned under similar circumstances emphasizes the gravity of the situation.

• The speaker's worries extend to family perceptions, particularly how their parents would view them if they were imprisoned; this adds emotional weight to their predicament.

• The spouse suggests resignation as a way out, indicating concern for their well-being amidst ongoing stress and uncertainty.

Business Ventures and Lessons Learned

Initial Business Challenges

• After being cleared in the investigation, the speaker discusses starting a business selling livestock but faces challenges with profitability during peak seasons like Idul Adha.

• Nutritional deficiencies in livestock feed lead to high mortality rates among animals, revealing critical gaps in knowledge regarding animal husbandry.

Misguided Trust and Financial Losses

• An experience with deceptive sellers highlights vulnerabilities in trusting promises without proper verification; this leads to financial losses when unsold livestock cannot be returned.

• The speaker recounts feeling exploited by sellers who initially offered guarantees but later reneged on agreements when demand fell short.

Reflections on Risky Decisions

• Acknowledging mistakes made due to greed and unrealistic expectations serves as an important lesson; these decisions resulted in significant financial strain.

• The narrative illustrates how initial enthusiasm can cloud judgment, leading individuals into precarious situations that jeopardize both finances and mental health.

Shifting Focus: From Livestock to Ornamental Plants

Exploring New Opportunities

• As losses mount in livestock sales, there is a pivot towards ornamental plants which promise higher returns per unit sold compared to traditional farming methods.

• High-value ornamental plants present an attractive investment opportunity; however, this shift also carries risks associated with market volatility.

Investment Strategies and Risks

• Despite initial excitement about potential profits from ornamental plants, underlying concerns about sustainability and market demand remain prevalent throughout discussions.

Understanding the Challenges of Plant Business

Initial Confusion and Market Trends

• The speaker expresses confusion about entering the ornamental plant business, recalling warnings about potential market volatility similar to past trends with anthuriums.

• Despite initial skepticism, the speaker acknowledges that global trends and influencers have sustained interest in ornamental plants, contradicting earlier assumptions.

Economic Realities and Personal Experiences

• The speaker shares a personal experience of purchasing plants at high prices (150 million), only to find them unsellable as demand plummeted post-lockdown.

• Seeking advice from friends in the business during a road trip, the speaker aims to gather insights on managing their own struggling venture.

Learning from Established Businesses

• A conversation reveals that even established businesses are facing losses, highlighting the harsh realities of long-term entrepreneurship.

• The speaker reflects on advice received regarding financial sustainability and considers closing down operations due to ongoing losses.

Decision-Making Influences

• A friend suggests relocating to Purwokerto for better opportunities while emphasizing the importance of maintaining connections in Blitar.

• The discussion leads to weighing options between staying in Blitar or moving for potentially higher income but uncertain outcomes.

Family Influence on Business Decisions

• The speaker's mother plays a crucial role in decision-making; her preferences significantly impact whether they should stay or move.

• After discussing potential earnings in Purwokerto, it becomes clear that family approval is essential for any major changes.

Seeking Guidance Through Faith

• Despite uncertainty about future steps, the speaker finds solace in seeking divine guidance through prayer after feeling stuck.

Insights on Agricultural Practices and Mindset Shifts

The Importance of Intent and Guidance

• The speaker reflects on their initial request for divine guidance, emphasizing the intention to serve their parents. This mindset shift led to unexpected mentorship opportunities.

• Initially, employees worked independently in a disorganized manner, similar to past experiences in a bank. The realization that collaboration is essential for startup success became apparent.

Transitioning to Collaborative Work

• A significant change occurred as barriers between different agricultural sectors (crops and livestock) were removed, leading to improved teamwork and efficiency.

• Despite increasing livestock numbers (200 sheep), the workforce decreased due to optimized work processes, demonstrating enhanced productivity.

Learning from Experts

• The speaker sought knowledge from experienced farmers like Pak Ibnu Aqil in Blitar, who is recognized as a valuable resource among peers.

• After struggling to find Pak Ibnu's farm, connections with locals facilitated an introduction that provided crucial insights into profitable sheep farming practices.

Understanding Livestock Nutrition

• Insights revealed that sheep farming can be highly profitable since it relies less on commercial feed compared to other livestock. Natural grazing remains vital for their diet.

• Emphasizing the need for diverse forage options, the speaker highlights that providing varied nutrition is essential when raising sheep in captivity.

Innovative Farming Strategies

• Collaboration with local farmers allows access to crop residues post-harvest without incurring additional land costs or maintenance efforts.

• Utilizing agricultural waste not only benefits the farmer but also ensures a sustainable source of feed for livestock while fostering community relationships.

Maximizing Resources Efficiently

• By leveraging abundant local resources such as tree foliage and crop byproducts, the speaker has developed a cost-effective feeding strategy for their animals.

• Engaging with local contractors helps maintain environmental safety while simultaneously sourcing feed materials efficiently during seasonal changes.

Achieving Optimal Animal Health

• With diverse feeding strategies established, focus shifts towards optimizing animal health through balanced nutrition without excessive expenditure on purchased feeds.

Feeding Strategies for Livestock

Dynamic Feed Formulation

• The feed formulation process is dynamic, focusing on optimizing the growth and health of goats and sheep while reducing mortality rates.

• An experimental approach involves weighing 10 animals given booster feed against 5 receiving regular feed to assess weight gain over two weeks.

Breeding and Production Capacity

• Current breeding stock includes approximately 120 ewes with a limited number of rams; demand for livestock remains high despite production challenges.

• Older rams can breed more ewes, with one ram capable of mating with up to 50 females, highlighting the need for strategic breeding management.

Targeting Optimal Breeds

• The focus is on crossbreeding XL and Dorper sheep due to their superior meat production capabilities compared to local breeds.

• Emphasis is placed on meat production rather than ornamental purposes, aligning breeding practices with market demands.

Operational Considerations in Breeding

• Breeding requires long-term planning as it takes about a year from mating to sale; operational costs must be carefully managed.

• Successful breeding also involves managing nutrition effectively to ensure rapid weight gain in offspring.

Recording and Genetic Management

• Effective recording systems are crucial for tracking lineage and preventing inbreeding, which can lead to genetic defects.

Overview of Livestock Housing and Management

Key Concepts in Livestock Housing

• The primary focus is on the identification of the male and female livestock, emphasizing that while the male is sourced internally, the female comes from outside, reducing the risk of inbreeding.

• The housing system includes a collection area for urine and feces separately; urine is stored in a bunker to be converted into liquid organic fertilizer.

Design Considerations for Birthing Pens

• Birthing pens are designed with soil instead of elevated platforms to minimize risks such as crushing or trampling by other animals during feeding times.

• After birth, young animals are moved to ground-level pens until they gain mobility before transitioning back to elevated housing.

Maintenance and Health Risks

• It’s advised not to use plastered surfaces in animal housing due to increased ammonia levels requiring daily cleaning; unplastered surfaces allow natural absorption by soil.

• Maintaining cleanliness without plastering reduces health risks associated with ammonia inhalation, which can lead to diseases among livestock.

Nutritional Management for Breeding

• Separate breeding areas are established where one male can mate with multiple females; nutritional needs differ based on their reproductive stages.

• Inspired by practices observed at another farm, efficient waste management systems are implemented that simplify cleaning processes.

Observations on Disease Resistance

• Elevated housing prevents moisture accumulation around hooves, reducing susceptibility to diseases like foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), which affected many cattle but spared sheep and goats in this case.

Reflections on Career Choices and Ethical Dilemmas

Encountering Ethical Concerns in Banking

• Discussion about interest rates (riba) arose during workplace conversations; initial resistance was met with arguments justifying bank benefits over potential harms.

Personal Journey Towards Understanding Riba

• Despite initial skepticism regarding riba's implications, further research led to an understanding aligned with MUI fatwas categorizing bank interest as riba.

Emotional Impact of Career Decisions

• The realization that banking work brought stress rather than fulfillment prompted reflection on personal motivations tied solely to financial gain.

Conclusion: Seeking Fulfillment Beyond Financial Gain

Benefits of Working in Singapore

Financial Benefits and Work-Life Balance

• The speaker discusses receiving a monthly benefit of up to 80 million, which includes accommodation and utilities (electricity, gas, water) covered by the company. Additional bonuses like THR are also mentioned as part of the expatriate package.

Personal Reflections on Career Decisions

• The speaker reflects on their decision to leave their previous job, emphasizing that it was not just about salary but also about personal fulfillment. They express a newfound appreciation for Mondays as active workdays compared to Sundays.

Coping with Loss and Finding Purpose

• After the passing of their father in 2021, the speaker finds motivation to dedicate more time to their mother. They perceive this loss as a sign from Allah guiding them towards fulfilling familial responsibilities.

Spiritual Insights on Death

• The speaker shares thoughts on their father's death occurring on a Friday due to an epidemic, interpreting it as a sign of "Khusnul Khotimah" (a good ending). They express hope that such circumstances would be ideal for themselves when facing death.

Seeking Divine Guidance

• The speaker describes their mantra: wanting to be a servant who relies solely on Allah rather than self-reliance. They recount experiences where they felt overwhelmed but learned the importance of seeking help through prayer instead of giving up.

The Importance of Reliance on Allah

Understanding Self-Reliance vs. Divine Support

• The speaker emphasizes that even mundane actions like blinking should involve reliance on Allah. They illustrate this with anecdotes about asking for divine assistance in trivial matters, highlighting the need for constant connection with God.

Embracing Humility and Gratitude

• Acknowledging one's limitations is crucial; the speaker mentions how even small issues should prompt prayers for guidance or support from Allah rather than relying solely on personal strength.

Motivation vs. Intimidation

Balancing Ambition with Faith

• The speaker discusses being greedy for Allah's blessings while maintaining health and well-being. They stress that it's essential to remember God during both difficult times and moments of prosperity.

Maintaining Motivation Without Comparison

• It's important not to feel intimidated by others' successes; instead, one should focus on doing their best each day without compromising values or resorting to unethical means out of envy.

Final Thoughts: Staying Motivated

Encouragement Against Intimidation

• The speaker concludes by encouraging listeners to remain motivated while avoiding feelings of intimidation from others’ achievements. This mindset fosters personal growth without leading one astray into unethical practices.