Ministry of Agriculture: Synergy Required in Efforts to Increases Cattle Population in Indonesia

INDUSTRY.co.id - Jakarta - In the implementation of animal husbandry and animal husbandry development, it is necessary for the contribution of all parties to support the growth of livestock industry not only from the government, but also from private parties, and communities (farmers) in general.

To realize the self-sufficiency of animal protein in Indonesia, Director General of Animal Husbandry and Animal Health of the Ministry of Agriculture, I Ketut Diarmita, said that synergy in accelerating the increase of cattle population in Indonesia is needed to accelerate the growth of livestock industry in Indonesia. This was conveyed at the time of becoming Keynote Speaker Workshop on Increasing Cow Population in Indonesia organized by Food and Agricultural Research Center (PATAKA) today Friday 13th April 2018 at Puri Denpasar Hotel Jakarta.

On the occasion, I Ketut Diarmita said, in general, Indonesia still relies on imported supply to cover the needs of beef in big cities especially for Jabodetabek area. This is because the production of local beef is still not sufficient for national needs, so to meet the shortage of imports, whether in the form of beef or meat.

"With the imports, it is expected to fulfill the need, while the cattle owned by the breeder can breed well, especially to avoid the draining of local cattle due to the increasing demand, causing productive female cattle slaughter," said I Ketut Diarmita.

As for the import of buffalo meat to Indonesia I Ketut Diarmita asserted, the importation is done through the assignment from the Government to BULOG which aims not to shake up the price of beef, but to provide an opportunity to people who have not been able to reach the price of beef in order to have an alternative for them to reach it.

He mentioned that the distribution of ex-imported buffalo meat is also prioritized only for areas of consumer centers and can be circulated to other areas as long as there is no refusal from Local Government, which is expected not to disturb local beef.

Currently the industry of cattle and beef is still more developed downstream, especially to the business of fattening and meat imports. The government intends to encourage the industry of cattle and buffalo farms more upstream, namely toward breeding and breeding.

The participants, mostly farmers and farmers association I Ketut said, to speed up the increase of cattle and buffalo population, there are 2 priority programs of the Ministry of Agriculture, through the Upsus Siwab Program (Special Effort of Mandatory Breeding Cattle) and the addition of imported parent.

Furthermore, I Ketut conveyed, Upsus Siwab is one of government program for reproduction optimization. The form of facilitation of this program is the provision of free services for cattle breeders in the form of cement, IB services (Artificial Insemination), examination of pregnancy and other technical services.

"Through Artificial Insemination (IB) activities, the distribution of superior livestock can be done cheaply, easily and quickly, and is expected to increase the income of farmers," said Diarmita.

In addition, to support Upsus Siwab there are also other supporting activities, namely: 1). strengthen seed and breeding aspect to produce qualified and qualified seeds and seeds with seven (7) Technical Unit Implementation Unit (UPT) for breeding; 2). Development of HPT (Forage Animal Feed); 3). Handling of reproductive disorders; 4) .Control of productive female slaughtering, in collaboration with the Police HQ Baharkam; 5). The government also provides Facility for Cattle Livestock Business Insurance (AUTS).

According to I Ketut Diarmita, in the first year of program implementation, performance performance of UPSUS SIWAB program is fantastic, it can be seen from: (i) Artificial Insemination Service / IB from January 2017 to 11 April 2018

realization of 5,222,542 heads; (ii) pregnancy 2.322.367 tail. "With the birth of 1130,369 tails, this means the equivalent of Rp. 7.9 trillion assuming the price of 1 calf weaning Rp. 7 million / head. The value is fantastic considering the investment program UPSUS Siwab in 2017 amounting to Rp 1.1 trillion, "he said.

I Ketut said, the achievement is the achievement of real performance in the field reported through the ISIKHNAS Reporting System (Integrated National Animal Health Information System) that is clearly tracked and accountable for the results. "Development of reporting system through ISIKHNAS is a pride of its own, because with this system the performance of cow and buffalo population development in all parts of Indonesia can be detected quickly, precisely and accurately," said I Ketut Diarmita.

'The highest appreciation I say to Indonesian farmers who have been willing to cow in IB (injecting marriage), especially to the officers (Inseminator, PKB and ATR) in the field which is extraordinary without tireless," he said.

The government will also make additional imports to increase the population in the country. "The procurement of imported bloodstocks this year has been allocated for 15,000 heads to be distributed in areas that have strong commitment in terms of sustainable livestock development," said I Ketut Diarmita.

In addition, the development of cattle New Ras, Belgian Blue in Indonesia which became an alternative source of beef cattle seeds in the future. "We expect by 2019 there will be 1000 Belgian Blue births," said I Ketut Diarmita. In the implementation, DG PKE cooperates with IPB and UGM to accelerate program development.

The government is optimistic, with the above activities in Indonesia in 2026 will be able to export cattle to other countries because in that year it is expected that Indonesia has been able to declare self-sufficiency in beef.

"We are also working to build branding of local livestock products into premium products, and expand market to export, so we are working to improve the competitiveness of domestic livestock products in the global market," said I Ketut Diarmita. "Indonesia has also exported Wagyu meat to Myanmar and poultry products to several countries such as Japan, PNG, Myanmar and by mid-April it will export to East Timor," he said.

I Ketut Diarmita hopes, all parties can have the same perception and view related to government policy, while still prioritizing the national interest.

"Let us build livestock in Indonesia as a source of our livelihood in the future," said I Ketut Diarmita. "We continue to raise livestock groups in the villages to increase the NTP (Farmer's Exchange Value), especially to prevent urbanization to the city," I Ketut said. "The success of livestock development is for the welfare of the farmers’ community and is our joint responsibility," he concluded.