Ministry Of Agriculture Prepares 1.5 Million Hectares Of Land For Cattle Farm Investors

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) has prepared an area of 1.5 million hectares (ha) for domestic and foreign investors who are willing to build cattle farms. The farm is for the development of the local dairy industry.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture Sudaryono revealed that the land is not in one area, but is spread in several areas. Like in Java and Sulawesi.

"We have prepared the land. We give alternative land. We are active from the Ministry of Agriculture to communicate with land voters. Is it PTPN, whether it's the private sector that has HGU," he told reporters, in Jakarta, Tuesday, November 12.

"Or whether it's for example land that belongs to a campus, has a community and others, we give them an alternative, which one they want to choose from," he continued.

Sudaryono said investors can also choose the location according to their needs. In fact, he said there are investors who choose a location close to the market.

"We have our calculations, we have pocketed the identification of 1.5 million hectares of land. It's just a matter of which one they want, some want to be close to the market, some are in Java, some want to be in Sulawesi, and so on," he said.

Furthermore, Sudaryono emphasized that the most important thing is that the Ministry of Agriculture helps facilitate their investment in the country.

"The point is we are helping with investment, right. So they use their money, bring in live cows, and it is very profitable in terms of our food independence, related to milk and meat which are still in deficit," he said.

Sudaryono revealed that 60 companies from within and outside the country were committed to bringing in 2 million live cows.

"Almost 60 companies. There are companies, there are cooperatives, domestic and foreign," he said.

He also said that the licensing process for bringing in cows is being handled by the Ministry of Agriculture. In fact, investors have also met with cooperatives and dairy farmers who will manage their facilities.

"This is the licensing process, then we match it with the farmer group. Then we prepare the land. We give alternative land," he explained.