Tradtionally identified with hard physical work, dirt and unsavoury smells, the cattle industry has generally not been an attractive career option for most Indonesian women. 

However, in the face of increasing economic pressures, the industry is now relying on greater innovation, analytical thinking, diversification and more targeted marketing—and more than over it is drawing on women to deliver these measures.  

As Head of Business Development at Bio Nusantara Technology (BNT), Satia Pratiwi is in charge of the cattle and palm integration model for her company. 

Being a woman who is required to provide leadership across the male-dominated palm oil and cattle industries, Satia—more commonly known as ‘Teta’—finds her role both challenging and rewarding. 

While she graduated with a degree in industrial engineering and has extensive experience in business development, Teta knew almost nothing about cattle breeding when BNT decided to establish a cattle farm within their 6,000 hectares of palm plantation. 

“I don’t have a background in cattle farming,” she says. “But company management decided that there had to be intense coordination between business development and the cattle breeding program.”

The company started their pilot project in 2013 with Balinese cattle, but the results did not meet expectations. 

Teta and her team refused to give up and, two years later, BNT trialled the integrated breeding model, with 26 Brahman Cross cattle imported from Australia and released to graze in the company’s palm plantation in Bengkulu province.

The trial appeared to deliver positive results. 

In 2016, an opportunity arose to partner with the Indonesia-Australia Commercial Cattle Breeding (IACCB) Program to expand the herd at the BNT plantation. The IACCB imported 246 Australian heifers and 13 bulls to BNT, significantly increasing the number of cattle under Teta’s management. 

While she admits that there was some trial and error in establishing the correct model, Teta is proud that the company’s cattle breeding program has persisted.

“The requirements of the cattle industry are very different from the palm oil industry,” she says. “The key is being determined to succeed.”

Teta applies this same determination to changing mindsets about the leadership potential of women in the palm oil and cattle industries.

“Women and men must be given the same opportunities according to their abilities,” she says. “We should never set limits for women to work in this sector as long as they are capable of managing the positions.”

Teta is keen to pave the way for other women to thrive within BNT. 

Yulissa Fitrianis, a veterinarian working for the company, says she has learned much about livestock management from Teta and is greatly inspired by working directly with her.

EMPOWERMENT IGNITES PAULINA’S PASSION

Another emerging leader in the cattle industry is Paulina Yuniarsih. She is the Breeding Manager at Great Giant Livestock, holding a senior position that was once traditionally reserved for men. 

As one of only 11 women out of 83 people in the company’s breeding department, Paulina believes men and women in the cattle industry can work together to complement each other. 

“I like to discuss ideas with my male colleagues and I acknowledge that they can do some of the physical work a lot faster. On the other hand, the women sometimes pay more attention to detail on some of the data work.”

As a senior manager, Paulina believes it is vital to lead by example and be hands-on with cattle management. Although the demands of her position require a good deal of office work, she still spends a lot of time in the field. 

“I’d say about 40 percent of my time is spent in the field,” she explains.

Paulina says the support of another woman—Great Giant Livestock’s Managing Director, Dayu Ariasintawati—has helped her to become a passionate leader. 

“Dayu’s approach to management is based on empowering people and having mutual respect. 

“Although she is the Managing Director, Dayu is willing to help the team with the breeding program. Her positive approach is contagious to everyone and motivates all of us.

“As a woman, it is very inspiring to learn from another woman.” 

For more information about the Partnership’s programs, visit redmeatcattlepartnership.org