Wamenan: Safe Meat Stock Ahead Of Ramadan And Eid 2025

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Deputy Minister of Agriculture (Wamentan) Sudaryono ensured that the availability of beef and buffalo ahead of the holy month of Ramadan until Lebaran 2025 was safe and under control.

"The meat stock for Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr is safe," said Wamentan after attending the Food Sector Limited Coordination Meeting (Rakortas) with the Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan as stated in Jakarta, quoted by Antara, Thursday, February 6.

However, the Deputy Minister acknowledged that to meet the meat needs, the government plans to carry out limited imports that will be carried out mostly by State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN).

According to Deputy Minister Sudaryono or who is familiarly called Mas Dar, SOEs have an important role as a state tool that can be directed to support national interests.

As an entity owned by the state, it is easier for SOEs to be directed in accordance with government policies in order to maintain price stability, supply, or other strategic policies related to the import of goods.

"Yes, stock is there, we stock it if I'm not mistaken there are 18 thousand tons, but it's not enough. That's why we have decided for today so that we can immediately import it. Most of the imports are done by SOEs. Why SOEs? It is a state tool for control, we can push it, we can tell, we can suppress it for the benefit of the people," he said.

According to Sudaryono, the surge in demand in the month of Ramadan was the main reason the government took imported steps.

He also appealed to the public not to panic because the government continues to work hard to maintain the availability of meat supplies.

"Everything we do and according to market needs we must be optimistic before Ramadan needs meat. Later we can bring it from Brazil, or from Australia, and from everywhere it is approved," he added.

In addition, the Deputy Minister emphasized the importance of fulfilling nutrition, especially through beef consumption, not only during Ramadan, but also in people's daily lives, in order to reduce stunting rates in Indonesia.

"We want how the protein is available at an affordable price for our people because we need stunting treatment, people have to be more nutrition by eating lots of protein, you know," he explained.

Meanwhile, Head of the National Food Agency (Bapanas) Arief Prasetyo Adi guarantees that the availability of meat will be sufficient in the near future.

He stated that the available meat stock is estimated to reach 120 thousand tons until Eid al-Fitr or Eid al-Fitr.

"We will prepare 120 thousand tons of stock up to Lebaran. We will arrange the distribution. Don't worry, because Wamentan is my friend, so everything will run smoothly," said Arief.