The government is seen as not serious nor having a clear concept in food self-supply, particularly in terms of beef import. Even records on cow population are different depending on each agency that keeps the record.
Such topic was raised in a discussion among experts from Faculty of Animal Sciences, Veterinary Medicine, Agricultural Technology and Institute for Research and Community Service UGM related to beef import policy on Wednesday (13/2) afterrnoon in Faculty of Animal Sciences UGM.
A lecturer of Faculty of Animal Sciences, Dr. Ir. Subur Priyono Sasmito Budhi, also assessed that the government has no clear concept in terms of seeding, which relates to land. He saw that government provide marginal lands only to breeders.
“(The provision of) only marginal lands will cause other lands to be controlled by big businessmen,” Subur said.
Subur expected the government to keep maintaining local breeders. He is certain that cattle self-supply efforts will be opposed by beef importers, such as Australia.
“Countries like Australia would not be happy if we’re self-sufficient,” he added.
Another lecturer from the Faculty, Ir. Gatot Murdjito, M.S., saw the different cow populations as recorded by different agencies, such as Agricultural Ministry, Statistics Bureau and local governments. He further highlighted the more expensive sell price of beef in the country.
“The data is not valid. Campuses should have a share in resolving the issue,” Gatot said.
Expert in food technology and agricultural products UGM, Prof. Dr. Ir. Mary Astuti, M.S, in the forum revealed the importance of synergy between universities and industry related to the issue that there are many other products that can be produced, such as milk and fertilisers.
“Partnership model that involves campuses and industries need to be tried,” Mary said.
Meanwhile, Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Dr. Ir. Ali Agus, DAA., DEA, offered a solution to the dilemma, namely that the government has to find an ideal point of balance between beef supply and demand. Other measures are to evaluate and establish beef quotas every 3 months, involving stakeholders.