PKB Hopes The Imported Two Million Cows Program Will Not Disrupt Local Livestock

JAKARTA - Commission IV of the DPR RI highlighted the government's plan to import 2 million cows gradually between 2025 and 2029. Member of Commission IV of the DPR, Rina Saadah hopes that the government can ensure that the plan to import 2 million cows does not disturb local breeders.

Rina asked that the cattle import program be accompanied by efforts to increase the quota for domestic cattle production. The plan to import 2 million cows includes 1 million dairy cows and 1 million broilers.

This import aims to meet the needs of milk and meat and support the government's Free Nutrition Food (MBG) program. By 2025, the initial target is to import 200,000 dairy cows and 200,000 broilers.

"The government must focus on empowering local cattle breeders and maximizing their production results," said Rina Saadah, Saturday, January 11.

Rina said that the cattle import policy could indeed provide benefits in the short term. However, according to him, the government must be able to ensure that these measures do not harm local farmers and the domestic agricultural sector in the long term.

He considered that government guarantees were needed so that domestic milk and meat production could be absorbed by the market. "Don't let it happen again when many local dairy farmers are forced to throw away their production because it is not absorbed by the domestic industry," he said.

Rina revealed that the Indonesian government has been importing cows regularly since the 1980s. Various types of imported cows including feeder cows and pregnant cows are regularly entered into the domestic market. This situation, he said, made the dependence of the supply of beef and cow's milk from abroad quite high.

"This is not the first time Indonesia has imported cattle. Despite efforts to achieve self-sufficiency in beef since 2000, until now, dependence on imports is still high," he said.

The PKB legislator assessed that the government needs to take several strategic steps that focus on strengthening local production and empowering farmers. This step is important in order to reduce dependence on food supply from imported products.

"Strengthening farmer institutions by building partnerships will help small-scale breeders develop technology and knowledge," said Rina.

On the other hand, Rina asked the government to actively review and evaluate the commitments of companies that have stated that they will import cattle. This includes ensuring that they have a clear and realistic plan to bring in cows according to the set target.

"The government must also implement strict regulations on cow imports, including animal health checks to prevent the entry of diseases that can harm local farms," he concluded.