Erick Thohir: Indonesia's Cattle Needs Are Worrying, 96 Percent Of Imports!

Minister of SOEs, Erick Thohir. (Photo: Doc. Ministry of SOEs)

JAKARTA - Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Erick Thohir said that the food problem in Indonesia cannot be solved by the government alone. One of them is related to the need for domestic cattle supply which is currently very worrying. This is because Indonesia relies heavily on imports from other countries.

"But if we look at how the demand for cattle in Indonesia is, it's actually very worrying. Our meat needs are 96 percent imported, 4 percent are only for breeders," he said while giving a public lecture at Hasanudin University Makassar, Wednesday, March 30.

According to Erick, there are driving factors that cause this to happen. One of them is a government program that always gives cows to the community. However, there is no agreement on when the cow should be slaughtered.

"So sometimes when the price is good, the cows are slaughtered. Eventually they lose of course to breed," he said.

Therefore, according to Erick, the way to discipline it is to accommodate the breeders in a cooperative. So, said Erick, they have a responsibility towards the cows given to them by the government.

"So that these breeders have one and another responsibility, not individually. They cannot take individual policies, because otherwise all will be cut off. So when the numbers are entered when food increases, all are cut. Finally, we import again," he explained. .

Option to buy farm abroad

According to Erick, another option that he had proposed was to buy a farm abroad. Erick said that by buying farms, at least the money spent by the government would go back into the state treasury.

"That's where there was a controversy when I spoke, so we just bought cattle farms abroad. It means nothing but we want to go west, but it's a reality we import cattle. Instead of only importing if we have cattle farm ownership abroad, at least the money will be returned to us. After all, it is still imported," he said.

Even so, Erick emphasized that buying livestock abroad does not mean that Indonesia is only investing. However, according to him, it is still necessary to develop the domestic livestock ecosystem.

"But that doesn't mean we only invest, but we continue to develop the livestock ecosystem in Indonesia. So when these two sides meet there will be a mutual equilibrium point," he said.