           The provision of national beef supply still relies on government’s budget and has not involved the banking and private sectors as well as society. That became a constraint for developing cow breeding business which has limited funds and low productivity.
           That information was delivered by Minister of Agriculture, Ir. H. Suswono, M.M.A., Saturday (7/11) during the Livestock Development Seminar to Meet Food Sufficiency. Suswono said that until 2009, the national livestock population only reached 12 million from 11.8 million previously. This is an increase of about 4.4% per year, but it still can not fulfill the need.
           “The beef supply during the last 5 years also increased. The domestic beef supply is, however, still about 60%, so we have to import 40% more,†he said.
           On self-sufficiency, Suswono continued, the government, however, is still faced with the lack of 1 million cow breeds and the limited use of potential land for cow breeding. Meanwhile in animal health sector, animal disease control is still poor and livestock product monitoring is still lacking.
           According to the Minister, the government is attempting to fulfill domestic beef demand, targeting an increase in local beef stock from 67% in 2010 to 90% in 2011. Meanwhile, the professor of Faculty of Animal Sciences of UGM, Prof. Dr. Ir. Endang Baliarti, said that to fulfill the target of self-sufficiency in the next five years, fresh graduates should be assigned to raise enough cattles. She said that this program is much related to the duty and responsibility of university that produces graduates. Therefore, the nearest university should be involved in the mentoring process.