GKSI Imports 100 Thousand Cows From The United States, Supports Free Nutrition Eating Program

Photo: Special

JAKARTA - The Association of Indonesian Milk Cooperatives (GKSI) held a Discussion and Submission of Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) on the Plan to Import Dairy Cows from the United States on Monday, January 6, at the House of Yuen Restaurant, Fairmont Hotel Senayan.

This activity involved the Indonesian Coordinating Ministry for Food, the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture, the Indonesian Ministry of Trade, the Ministry of SOEs (ID Food), the United States Embassy for Indonesia, and the US Dairy Export Council (USDEC).

The event was also attended by the United States Ambassador to Indonesia represented by the Agricultural Coordination of the US Embassy for Indonesia Lisa Ahramjian, Directors of the Indonesian Dairy Company (IPS) Industry such as Ultrajaya, Nestle Indonesia, Cimory, Frisian Flag Indonesia, Freshland Prosperous Innovation, Mayora Indah, and Greenfields Indonesia.

The activity was opened by the General Treasurer of GKSI, Febryanto. In his remarks, he conveyed the motivation to import 100,000 cows from the United States.

According to him, this plan was motivated by the condition of cattle in Indonesia, which was the result of a genetic cross between local cattle and Frisian Holstein, resulting in cows that were not ideal in terms of producing milk.

"In addition, the decrease in the number of cattle in Indonesia has also exacerbated the situation with Mouth and Foot Diseases that spread in 2022 resulting in the death of around 65,000 cows. In connection with the need for milk availability in the Free Nutrition Food program by the President Prabowo administration, this cattle import program is a tangible form of commitment by GKSI in the success of the government program by meeting the milk needs of the program," he said, in a written statement, Tuesday, January 7.

After the speech, the event continued with a discussion session. The first author, Epi Taufiq (National Nutrition Institute Milk Institute), stated that milk is an important part that must be included in the government's Strategic Nutritious Eating program to optimize the nutritional intake of the nation's children.

Followed by the second speaker, Lisa Ahramjian (Kokolih Agrikultur Kedubes AS), in her delivery, said that GKSI's steps had taken a good first step because it was very important between the US and Indonesia to cooperate in strategic fields in the government.

Responding to GKSI's steps and submission by the ministers, all invited guests who attended responded positively to this step. Through this import, it is considered that it can strengthen trade relations between the US and Indonesia, as well as improve the quality and quantity of milk production in Indonesia in meeting various needs and demand for milk throughout Indonesia.

Finally, the activity closed with the submission of NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) The plan to import dairy Cows from the United States continued to have dinner together.