"The livestock population is expected to increase and boost meat and milk production. We have a big potential here," Sulaiman remarked on Friday.
The minister also made the same appeal during his working visit to the Artificial Insemination Center (BBIB) in Singosari, Malang, East Java, on Thursday (November 23).
At the facility, the minister inspected selected and certified superior cattle and goats whose semen had been frozen to increase the productivity of farmers' livestock with the help of artificial insemination.
Sulaiman also called on BBIB Singosari to ramp up the production of frozen semen to be utilized by all breeders in the country.
On that occasion, Sulaiman reviewed BBIB Singosari's superior cattle breeds, such as Limousin, Simental, and Gatotkaca from the Belgian Blue cattle.
He also witnessed the process of storing fresh cement and encouraged the facility to continue making efforts for developing superior cattle, such as the Belgian Blue.
"The Belgian Blue cattle have extraordinary meat growth advantages. BBIB Singosari has produced frozen Belgian Blue semen, and one of the most popular Belgian Blue cattle (breeds) is Gatotkaca," he remarked.
Until November 2023, the facility has produced 3.9 million doses of frozen semen. Some 2.9 million doses had been distributed throughout Indonesia, he stated.
BBIB Singosari continues to conduct innovations, including genetic mapping of its livestock for the benefit of livestock farmers.
Moreover, the facility is developing frozen sexed semen technology to help breeders affected by the foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak.
The frozen semen of cattle is needed to produce more number of female cattle to boost milk productivity.
"I ask BBIB Singosari to increase the male population to 500 as an effort to meet the need for quality frozen semen in accordance with the Indonesia National Standard (SNI)," the minister revealed.
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Translator: Farhan Arda N, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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