Strengthening The National Milk Industry Ecosystem, Mbok Darmi Milk Holds Farmers' Partner Gathering

JAKARTA - Mbok Darmi's milk, a pioneer of partnership-based pasteurization milk drinks with local cattle breeders, held a Farmer Partner Gathering in Switzerland-Belcourt Bogor. This event is a form of appreciation for farmer partners who have an important role in the supply chain of the national dairy industry and contribute to providing high-quality milk raw materials.

Carrying the theme 'Sinergi Builds a Future', this meeting aims to strengthen the relationship between PT Sumoda Tama Berkah, the company that owns the Mbok Darmi Brand, and its farmer partners. In addition, it is also a forum for farmers to share experiences, get education, and strengthen collaboration with dairy industry players.

"We believe that the quality of cow's milk that reaches consumers cannot be separated from the welfare and enthusiasm of farmers in maintaining their business. This event is one of our ways to show appreciation and strengthen synergy with farmer partners," said Mbok Darmi's CEO, Dhony Pratama, in a written statement, Wednesday, March 5.

Dhony added that according to various studies, the low domestic milk production was caused by two main factors: the limited number of dairy cows and low productivity.

"Therefore, partnerships with milk producers are one solution so that dairy farmers can apply a good livestock pattern so that they can increase national milk production and quality," added Dhony.

"As a farmer, we face many challenges every day. For us, this event is not just a meeting but also an important moment to exchange insights, share experiences and support in facing the challenges of the dairy industry. Collaborating with Mbok Darmi's milk also encourages us to improve the quality to be better," said Roziqun, Albaqoroh Farm.

Gathering Mitra Farmers were attended by dozens of breeders from Bogor and Bandung, with the main agenda in the form of interactive discussions and educational sessions for farmers who have shown a high commitment in maintaining the quality of milk.

"As a pioneer of pasteurized milk drinks that are committed to supporting local breeders, we hope that the synergy between farmers and industry players will continue to bring sustainable benefits and provide quality milk products for the wider community," concluded Dhony.

The gathering carried out by Mbok Darmi Milk is in line with the direction of the Ministry of Agriculture that the dairy processing industry is required to buy milk from local breeders, with the aim of encouraging increased domestic milk production and reducing dependence on milk imports.

Previously, on Tuesday, February 25, Deputy Minister of Agriculture Sudaryono said that his party had written to all domestic dairy processing industries to carry out these instructions which were directions from President Prabowo Subianto. The dairy processing industry must take local milk.

The Deputy Minister also said that currently 80 percent of national milk consumption is met from imports, considering that the domestic dairy industry can only produce 20 percent of the demand for milk consumption. President Prabowo then instructed that milk imports be slowly suppressed and increase local milk production by bringing in feed cows.