Pemberdayaan Masyarakat melalui Program Dompet Dhuafa Farm Madiun dalam Meningkatkan Kemandirian Ekonomi

Abstract

The allocation of zakat funds can be directed toward community empowerment goals through various programs. One of the institutions that runs empowerment programs is Dompet Dhuafa. The specific empowerment program implemented is the Dompet Dhuafa Farm in Madiun. The author is interested in conducting this research because the beneficiaries must meet the criteria of mustahik (eligible zakat recipients), and the empowerment is carried out by providing jobs or employment opportunities. This study uses a qualitative method with a field research approach. Data was collected through interviews with representatives from Dompet Dhuafa Farm Madiun. This research aims to understand the stages of community empowerment implementation and the impact experienced by the community after participating in the program. The theoretical framework used in this study is the stages of community empowerment: location selection, community socialization, community empowerment process, and community independence. The research results show that the stages of community empowerment in the Dompet Dhuafa Farm Madiun program have been carried out effectively. The economic independence experienced by the beneficiaries includes: (1)Beneficiaries feel helped in obtaining more stable jobs, which improves their daily needs. (2)Beneficiaries are able to raise livestock independently at home, thus increasing their income.  (3)Beneficiaries have been able to continue livestock Farming at home for over two years and are still doing so. (4) However, the beneficiaries are not yet able to manage goat Farming at Dompet Dhuafa Farm, Madiun, due to capital constraints. Although they would be willing if given a loan, there are other challenges to consider, such as the need for a large area of land to build a proper barn.