He added that in the future, dairy cows from countries such as Brazil, Vietnam, Denmark, and the Netherlands will also be imported to meet Indonesia's milk needs.
"There are around three thousand (cows from) Australia," Sudaryono told journalists when met at the Presidential Palace Complex on Monday (March 3).
According to the deputy minister, Brazilian cows have received import permits and are awaiting shipment.
He highlighted that the government aims to import around 200 thousand dairy cows by the end of 2025.
"The target is 200 thousand. We are heading there. This is a form of our investment. We should also accommodate investors with permits and land," he remarked.
Alongside the arrival of imported dairy cows, Sudaryono ensured the government is also pushing milk production from domestic cows, especially for inclusion in the Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG).
"We are encouraging the existing dairy industries, for example, those in Baturaden, Bogor, Puncak, and others, to contribute to the Free Nutritious Meals," he remarked.
Sudaryono then emphasized the government's goal to reduce the gap between milk produced domestically and abroad.
"We want to reduce the gap between imports and the domestic industry. We are not anti-import, but we are trying to be self-sufficient in meeting our milk needs," he remarked.
On a separate occasion, the deputy minister explained that dairy cow imports are part of a broader government investment to establish domestic fresh milk factories.
To support this initiative, the government is also helping to prepare land for farmers to accommodate dairy cows imported from abroad.
On Monday, Sudaryono said the land was spread across several areas in Java and Lampung Province.
"Not all in Java, but some of the allocated land is also in Lampung," he confirmed.
Related news: Australia awaits decision on cow import quota from Indonesia
Related news: Cattle imports must include heifers
Translator: Genta Tenri/Mentari Dwi, Resinta S
Editor: Azis Kurmala
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
