An Article taken from Waikato Times Farmer January 2009 Edition about one of Binamandiri's Pilot Project workers :
Christmas was definitely a different experience for 23-years-old Fatkhur Rohman from Indonesia.
He came to New Zealand in June 2008 to work in dairy farm in South Waikato.
Fatkhur now works as an assistan herd manager looking after 650 cows which has been a very different experience – having come from his family farm in Indonesia. Where he learned farming skills from his father.
The family farm has five cows and two calves. Those cows are fed using a cut and carry system, feeding mainly elephant grass, banana leaves and vegetable leaves. The are milked by hand and the milk is carried to the co-operative twice a day in milking cans.
Fatkhur first heard about New Zealand agriculture through a Discovery Channel programme he watched on television in Indonesia.
He could see that working in New Zealand agriculture would give him the opportunity to learn about a different way of farming that he could apply to the family farm on his return to Indonesia. When the chance arose to come and work on a New Zealand dairy farm, through ATR-Fegan, Fatkhur applied for the position along with a group of other Indonesians.
After, being accepted into the ATRFegan intake, he completed a four week English language and New Zealand culture course. Two months later he arrived in New Zealand ready to begin his Kiwi farm experience.
Since arriving on-farm, Fatkhur has found the favourite part of his job to be getting the cow in and milking.
Learning a new farming system is a challenge but he wants to continue learning the Kiwi way. Managing the key dates of calving, matting and drying off cows is something that he has found to be intriguing. As this is not so structured in Indonesia.
The pastured-based feeding system has also been interesting as it is so different to what he is used to on his family farm.
Although there have been challenges along the way, Fatkhur has adapted very well to his new home and job in New Zealand.
One of the hardest things he has had to deal with has been living so far away from his family.
“My parents are very proud of me for coming to work in New Zealand. They want me to improve my farming skills,” he says.
Fatkhur plans to return to Indonesia in a few years where he will be able to implement a mix of both New Zealand and Indonesian farming practices on his family farm.
Do you want to know more about working in New Zealand, click this link or send any inquiries to oceania.division@binamandiri.com
