Hence, director general of agroindustry at the ministry Putu Juli Ardika stated that his administration commended the milk industry's efforts in improving the productivity of Indonesia's dairy cows through the Young Progressive Farmer Academy Program.
"Through this program, young farmers can contribute to improve the production of domestic milk. This is because currently, the domestic supply of milk is only at 20 percent," Ardika noted in a statement received here on Saturday.
He cited data from Statistics Indonesia wherein the consumption of milk per capita in Indonesia was only at 16.27 kg per capita per year, just below the average of Southeast Asian countries.
In 2022, Indonesia's milk demand had reached 4.4 million tons, though the production of fresh milk was only capped at 968,980 tons, he pointed out.
"Currently, attention needs to be paid to the condition of the national milk industry. (It is) because milk is a balanced nutritional source needed by humans," he stated.
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Other issues faced by the industry also include the low rate of cow ownership, limited farming plot, high costs of raising cows, lack of knowledge on good dairy farming practices, as well as the foot and mouth disease that infected more than 538 thousand animals, out of which 72 thousand are dairy cows, in 17 provinces in the previous year, he elaborated.
Ardika highlighted that the government was currently undertaking measures to restore the population of dairy cows that were lost due to the infection.
The program, initiated by Frisian Flag Indonesia, aims to attract youth, with progressive mindsets, so they would be interested in becoming farmers, thereby developing the industry in a sustainable, eco-friendly manner, he remarked.
"Youth's awareness to continue (to meet) the cow dairy farming industry needs should be consistently encouraged by giving job training in the Netherlands for 12 young farmers, who won the (selection). (Thus), it will improve their managerial skills and development of their dairy cow business," Ardika stated.
At the event, hosted from May 19 to June 27, 2023, some 36 potential business plans were proposed, and 12 winners, with the best business plans, were selected, he remarked.
Ardika expects the winners to utilize the opportunity to give their best contribution for the sake of their own businesses, environment, and for the state as well.
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Translator: Ade Irma Junida, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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