He noted that President Prabowo Subianto’s food strategy prioritizes both carbohydrates and protein, with milk seen as a strategic component to support children’s growth and cognitive development.
"Milk is part of the president's food program, and it is very important," Hasan said during the commemoration of Nusantara Milk Day 2025 in Jakarta on Sunday.
The minister added that President Prabowo is committed to eliminating malnutrition, which is essential for enhancing the quality of Indonesia's future human resources.
Hasan pointed to countries such as South Korea and China, which have significantly improved their population’s nutritional quality—including through higher dairy consumption—leading to noticeable gains in physical development and national progress.
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He therefore urged an increase in national milk consumption as a strategic move to accelerate Indonesia’s development and competitiveness on the global stage.
“No country can thrive without an adequate and nutritious food supply,” he stressed.
Hasan underscored that milk is more than just a beverage—it is a long-term investment in producing a superior generation capable of propelling Indonesia toward developed-nation status.
“Several Asian nations like China, South Korea, and Vietnam now have taller generations, nearing the average height of Europeans. That progress is closely tied to improved dietary intake. This is what we aim to achieve,” he said.
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To support this initiative, the government has undertaken several steps, including importing 1,250 dairy cattle from Australia in March.
According to Agung Suganda, Director General of Animal Husbandry and Animal Health at the Ministry of Agriculture, the cattle importation is part of broader efforts to boost domestic milk production and reduce dependency on imported dairy products.
“The addition of dairy cows is a concrete measure to increase national milk output and support the community’s access to nutritious food,” Suganda stated on March.
Related news: 1,250 Australian dairy cows arrive in Indonesia: ministry
Translator: Muhammad Harianto, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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