Minister Of SOEs: Red Pelat Company Ready To Strengthen Food Industrialization

Illustration (Photo: Doc. Antara)

Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Erick Thohir said state-owned companies are ready to optimize industry and cooperation in the food sector. This step is to realize Indonesia's food sovereignty.

Erick explained that SOEs have also started actively inviting cooperation to secure the supply of main foodstuffs.

For example, said Erick, making cooperation related to stunting reduction programs in Indonesia, including investment in the cattle industry, both the meat processing industry and milk production.

"This is what we have to intervene for. One of them is how we work together to see the shuttle, beef industry business, both meat and milk," said Erick after attending the Mandiri Investment Forum (MIF) in Jakarta, Wednesday, February 1.

Specifically for the development of the dairy industry, said Erick, concrete steps taken include holding talks with Dutch milk company Frisian Flag. Erick said this was one of the crucials, considering that 80 percent of the total national milk consumption came from imports.

During a visit to the Netherlands, Erick said Frisian Flag wanted an investment of 8,000 to 12,000 cows.

According to him, this must be encouraged so that food sovereignty can be achieved.

"So food sovereignty must also be considered," he said.

Erick said, one of the tasks of SOEs today is to make this happen so that the national food industry will be stronger.

Therefore, he emphasized his commitment to national food security.

"Industrialization for food and its derivatives needs to be ensured because our population is 270 million or 280 million. This means that more and more food security needs, such as milk, meat is still imported, we must remain silent, no," he said.

For this reason, continued Erick, SOEs continue to seek partnerships with foreign producers such as food companies from Qatar, Baladna Farm and Frisian Flag from the Netherlands.

Erick conveyed that the two companies were very enthusiastic about working with Indonesia.

Moreover, Frisian Flag's largest operating income comes from the Indonesian market.

Erick said that the pattern of cooperation will not only involve SOEs, but also cooperate with farmers and also private sectors. This is part of strengthening the national food ecosystem.

"For example, a good private sector has Cimory, food industrialization must occur, otherwise our farmers and breeders will continue to be eroded, that's what we build the ecosystem, so that why do we have mutually beneficial partnerships," said Erick.