To commemorate National Milk Day and World Milk Day on Saturday (Jun. 1), the UGM Faculty of Animal Science (Animal Science UGM), in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, organized a milk-drinking event with hundreds of kindergarten and elementary school children in Yogyakarta.
The event was held at Animal Science UGM and attended by Nasrullah, the Ministry of Agriculture’s Director General of Animal Husbandry and Health.
In his speech, Nasrullah stated that the quality and quantity of milk production in Indonesia are still lacking. Moreover, the milk consumption level among the population is still low compared to neighboring countries.
He illustrated that the current demand for milk in Indonesia is 4.3 million tons yearly, while national milk production is less than 1 million tons annually. Thus, the contribution of national milk to the national milk demand is only about 20 percent, necessitating about 80 percent of the milk to be imported.
“This is one of the challenges for various stakeholders to collaborate and address,” said Nasrullah.
He sees this occasion as a chance to find solutions to increase the population’s milk consumption.
“Milk is a source of protein and nutrition that greatly determines the quality and intelligence of the population,” he added.
The Dean of Animal Science UGM, Professor Budi Guntoro, stated that this milk-drinking movement needs to be continually promoted to prepare the next generation for Golden Indonesia 2045.
“Milk is a source of animal protein that is very beneficial for improving children’s nutrition. Therefore, on National Milk Day, we introduce and promote milk drinking to kindergarten and elementary school children,” said Professor Guntoro.
Budi added that the Indonesian Forum of Leaders of Animal Science Universities (FPPTPI) is also ready to support government policies, especially regarding the downstream of livestock industry research. This is also intended to reduce the gap between farmers and the industry.
Approximately 200 kindergarten and elementary school children looked happy and enthusiastic about participating in the milk-drinking event. In addition to drinking milk, the children participated in coloring, drawing, and singing competitions as part of the faculty’s XI Lustrum activities.
Author: Animal Science UGM/Satria
Photo: Margiyono