Wamenko Pangan Emphasizes Integrated Livestock to Overcome National Meat Deficit

JAKARTA - Deputy Coordinating Minister (Wamenko) for Food Hanif Faisol Nurofiq considers the model of integrating oil palm plantations with cattle farms to be a strategic solution to overcome the national meat deficit while increasing land productivity sustainably.

"This has great potential to support the fulfillment of national meat needs and reduce import dependence," said Hanif in a statement quoted by ANTARA, Saturday, June 20.

He emphasized this when reviewing the plantation with the Palm Oil-Cattle Integration System (SISKA) Program in the plantation area of PT Buana Karya Bhakti, Satui District, Tanah Bumbu Regency, South Kalimantan, Friday (19/6).

According to Hanif, the natural breeding system for cows in plantation areas has proven to be more efficient than artificial insemination.

In addition to lower costs, the natural reproduction process is considered more effective because all the hormones needed for fertility are naturally available.

"This model is very suitable for breeding. After the calves are three to nine months old, they are weaned and separated so that their growth is more uniform," said Hanif.

Based on the explanation of the manager, the population of cows at PT Buana Karya Bhakti which was originally only around 300 heads has now grown to almost 1,500 heads. The population is maintained on a plantation area of almost 16 thousand hectares.

Hanif explained that with a ratio of about one cow for every 13 hectares of land, the potential for palm oil and cattle integration in South Kalimantan is very large. Of the total of about 480 thousand hectares of oil palm plantations in the province, about 250 thousand hectares are considered suitable for the SISKA program.

"If these 250 thousand hectares are integrated, then at least there are around 20 thousand cows that can be maintained. This number can help meet the shortage of demand for slaughter cattle in South Kalimantan," he said.

He revealed that the need for cattle in South Kalimantan reached around 56 thousand to 57 thousand heads, while the current production capacity is only around 33 thousand heads so there is still a shortage of more than 20 thousand heads.

The former Minister of Environment added that the success of the program was in line with Presidential Instruction Number 14 of 2025 concerning the Food, Energy, and Water Self-sufficient Areas. If the concept of integration of palm oil and cattle can be expanded nationally, Indonesia's animal food security is considered to be stronger.

Nationally, said Hanif, Indonesia has more than 17 million hectares of oil palm plantations. Assuming that one cow requires 13 to 15 hectares of land, the potential for integration is estimated to be able to accommodate around 1.3 million cows.

"This figure is actually able to meet national needs. Our meat needs are around 800 thousand tons per year, while domestic production is only around 400 thousand tons, so there is still a shortage that has been met through imports," he explained.

In addition to supporting the provision of meat, the integration of palm oil and cattle is also considered to provide benefits for the plantation sector.

The presence of cows is said to be able to reduce weed cleaning costs by 50-70 percent, while livestock manure can increase soil fertility and support the growth of oil palm trees.

To avoid negative impacts on the land, Hanif said the grazing system was carried out in rotation, where the cows were only in one location for one day before being moved to another area.

The government, continued Hanif, will discuss further the development of the SISKA program with related ministries, including the Ministry of Agriculture and the trade sector, to formulate regulations and create a sustainable business climate.

"We don't need to impose a livestock model from other countries. We have to adapt it to the Indonesian character. The integration of palm oil and cattle is one of the competitive advantages that can be developed to meet national meat needs," he said.