March 6, 2024

Indonesia plans for more local cattle farms as it looks to cut beef imports

Indonesia can cut down its beef imports by setting up cattle farms in Sulawesi, Kalimantan, and East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), said Indonesian Vice President Ma'ruf Amin.

In a recent working visit to New Zealand, Amin pointed to the "large areas" in those regions due to their big grasslands.

"I think we can achieve (meat) self-sufficiency," he remarked.

Authorities in Indonesia has already started a planning process for developing cattle livestock in the regions.

Additionally, the National Food Agency (Bapanas) has determined that, for this year, the import volume of beef will be at 145,250.60 tonnes based on the results of a recalculation of the volume of beef imports for regular consumption.

Another relevant development sees the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture developing a blue cattle breeding project from Belgium to beef up Indonesia's meat self-sufficiency. Belgian Blue cattle originated from cross-breeding of Shorthorn or Durham cattle with the local Belgian cattle. Cows resulting from this crossing have a bluish skin color and as such, they are called Belgian Blue.

Indonesian aims for beef self-sufficiency by 2026 through various efforts to accelerate the increase in cattle population.

- Antara