Turning Barren Land into an Agrotourism Center
Youth is the time to explore new things. In addition to being a search for identity, youth is also a determining direction of life.
Working in a multinational company with a big salary is the dream of many people when they are in college. But not with this young man. For Hari Bowo, becoming an entrepreneur is his life choice at a young age. He was willing to work hard to build a business from the ground up, rather than sitting pretty at an office desk, but working for someone else's company.
From his narrative, all of this started when he was still studying at IPB University. While in college, he had the opportunity to visit Leverkusen, Germany to study. There he studied modern and integrated farming systems.
In addition to Germany, he also had the opportunity to study at the University of Sydney, Australia. From his study trip abroad, it strengthened his inspiration and passion to return to the village to build modern farming and animal husbandry modes.
He chose his birthplace in Cilegon, Banten, to realize his dream of having an integrated agricultural system that empowers the surrounding community.
Almost every journey to success is definitely not smooth, it takes more energy and enthusiasm to continue to be consistent towards the dreams and ideals you dream of. Hari Bowo also felt this.
Starting in 2010, he only sold about 10 to 20 sacrificial animals. But he continued to be consistent until in 2015-2016 he managed to sell as many as 300-400 qurban animals.
On that basis, he established himself for expansion into larger business units. After selling sacrificial animals for approximately 5 years, he finally built Villa Ternak Indonesia and Villa Tani Indonesia.
Villa Ternak Indonesia is a business entity engaged in integrated livestock and agriculture. The focus of the business developed by Hari Bowo includes animal husbandry education, animal feed, aqiqah services, provision of sacrificial animals, organic fertilizer providers, and marketing of organic agricultural products.
From the one who initially rented the land, Hari Bowo then bought land in the Cikerai area, Cilegon. He called the land the "Land of God's Grace". Although initially the land on was barren, far from urban areas, and access to locations was not good, but with enthusiasm and accompanied by a high sense of optimism, finally Villa Ternak Indonesia became the belle of the new agro-tourism in Cilegon City.
Villa Ternak Indonesia managed by Hari Bowo is visited by at least 10,000 students and 40,000 general visitors each year. Hari Bowo hopes that Villa Tani and Villa Ternak can contribute to national development, especially in the food sovereignty sector.
“I hope that Villa Tani and Villa Ternak will be the solution to food sovereignty and the progress of Indonesian agriculture. Moreover, the agriculture sector will become a green weapon for the world, because agriculture is the future," said Hari Bowo.
The man who also serves as Commissioner of PT. This Banten Mandiri (Perseroda) agribusiness entrusts a message to millennial farmers and breeders to continue to be enthusiastic for the progress of the nation.
“Keep up the enthusiasm for millennial cattle friends and farmer friends, the future is in our hands. And we have to be part of the nation's progress,” said Hari Bowo.
