"The establishment of this milk house is a concrete step to address chronic malnutrition, which remains a concern in Indonesia, particularly among toddlers and schoolchildren," PPN Minister Rachmat Pambudy noted in a statement here on Wednesday.
He emphasized that the operation of the production facility is expected to help the government supply children with milk under the MBG program, which aims to produce a generation of healthy, smart, and productive talents.
Although the government acknowledges the vital role of milk in human development, Pambudy noted that Indonesia’s milk production currently meets only 17 percent of the national demand annually.
"This milk facility is present to address this issue by absorbing fresh milk produced by local farmers, processing it under stringent safety standards, and serving as a hub for ingredient distribution under the MBG program," he explained.
Related news: Expanding cooperative-owned milk processing for MBG program: ministry
The minister expressed hope that the facility would also serve as a model for downstreaming livestock products in other regions.
Furthermore, he underscored that the operation of this facility aligns with the 2025-2029 National Medium Term Development Plan (RPJMN), which highlights the importance of promoting animal-based food and drink consumption—such as milk—to combat malnutrition.
"The inauguration of this milk house is not the end of the line, but rather, an initial step towards nationwide nutritional improvements," he affirmed.
Pambudy also stated that the PPN Ministry, in collaboration with the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) and IPB University, is developing a center of excellence dedicated to formulating standards for milk production, driving technological innovations, and promoting balanced nutrition.
"We will continue to forge cross-sector synergy to create a healthier and more competitive Indonesia," he concluded.
Related news: MBG: Ministry starts providing milk from cooperatives
Translator: M. Baqir, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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