To strengthen the capacity of the Youth Poultry Farming Groups established in 2024 across 8 villages assisted by TLM Foundation (YTLM), a Training on Layer Chicken Farming Management for Rural Youth was held on Thursday, 18 September 2025, at GMIT Lahmaneat Church in Lakat, South Central Timor (TTS) Regency

A total of 11 youth poultry farming groups were established through a collaborative program between YTLM and Plan International Indonesia (YPII). The initiative aims to create employment opportunities for rural youth, support local economic growth, and contribute to improved community nutrition. These groups are spread across eight villages in South Central Timor (TTS): Oenai, Enonapi, Oeekam, Oenlasi, Nekmese, Bileon, Naileu, and Niki-niki Un. Each group sent representatives to the training, bringing the total number of participants to 22.

The training featured several speakers, including Drh. Atta Nawa, Drh. Telni Nenabu, Defrid Banu, Manager of YTLM’s Layer Chicken Business Unit, and Midwife Versi Talak from the Umemanekan Nonohonis Clinic. Participants received materials on layer chicken farming management and egg marketing strategies, ranging from simple methods to calculate competitive selling prices to sales techniques in local markets. In addition, participants joined a supplementary session on adolescent reproductive health delivered by Midwife Versi Talak, highlighting the rising cases of sexually transmitted infections in TTS District.

The training was conducted through a combination of lectures and discussions. Participants showed great enthusiasm, raising questions that ranged from technical challenges in layer chicken farming to strategies for marketing their products.

Risky Boemau, a member of the Alam Jaya Group from Oenai Village, shared his experience: “This training reminded me of the proper way to manage layer chickens, helping me to correct the wrong habits we often practiced,”

Meanwhile, Tomas Manu, leader of the Adika Group in Enonapi Village, explained: “Through the simple calculation method we learned, we can now clearly determine our production costs. This ensures we avoid losses and stay competitive with market prices,”

Equipped with the knowledge gained, the young participants are optimistic about managing their layer chicken businesses more effectively and bringing real benefits to their families and communities.