Milk is a strategic commodity that serves as both a source of nutrition for the public and a driver of the people’s economy, particularly for small-scale dairy farmers. Unfortunately, the national dairy industry continues to face various challenges, including low milk consumption and heavy reliance on imported dairy raw materials. Meanwhile, national milk demand is projected to continue rising as the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program is implemented.
“Milk is a strategic food commodity that plays an important role not only as a source of nutrition to improve public health, but also as a driver of the local economy. Therefore, strengthening the smallholder dairy farming sector has become increasingly urgent,” said Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation, and Alumni Affairs at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FKH UGM), Professor Aris Haryanto, on Monday (May 18) regarding the results of the workshop titled “Sinergi Pemerintah dan Stakeholder dalam Mendukung Produktivitas Susu Lokal” (Synergy Between Government and Stakeholders in Supporting Local Milk Productivity), held at the FKH UGM Auditorium.
Professor Haryanto explained that national milk production currently meets only around 22-23 percent of the country’s milk consumption needs. This condition has become a major concern, particularly as milk demand is expected to increase to support the MBG program in the coming years.
“Cross-sector collaboration is a strategic step in increasing local milk productivity while also strengthening the welfare of dairy farmers, especially smallholders,” he said.
Strengthening the smallholder dairy farming sector needs to be carried out in an integrated manner through increasing livestock populations, improving productivity and milk quality, expanding access to financing, strengthening cooperatives, and implementing Good Dairy Farming Practices (GDFP).
As is known, the workshop was part of the evaluation and strengthening of follow-up actions under the FRESH (Farmer Resilience and Enhanced Sustainable Husbandry) Program, which aims to improve milk production and quality, increase farmers’ income, and reduce methane gas emissions. The program has been implemented in the Special Region of Yogyakarta, Central Java, and East Java.
Professor Haryanto highlighted several achievements of the FRESH Program, including post-foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) recovery efforts, capacity building for farmers and cooperatives, support for livestock financing, assistance with pasteurized milk facilities, innovations in reproductive and feed technology, and the development of biogas energy. The program is implemented through collaboration with Sarihusada Generasi Mahardika, Danone Ecosystem, PRISMA, and Yayasan Rumah Energi.
“The achievements of the FRESH Program demonstrate that cross-sector collaboration can create positive impacts for farmers and the wider community,” he stressed.
Acting Director of Livestock Product Downstreaming at the Directorate General of Livestock and Animal Health, Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture, Boethdy Angkasa, emphasized the importance of increasing national milk productivity, which requires cross-sector collaboration and cannot be handled solely by the government.
According to him, the comprehensive approach implemented through the FRESH Program has positively impacted the development of smallholder dairy farmers over the past three years.
“Improving national milk productivity cannot be carried out by the government alone. The government certainly requires synergy with industry, academics, cooperatives, and farmers,” he stated.
In line with this, Senior Director of Public Affairs and Sustainability at Danone Indonesia, Karyanto Wibowo, highlighted the importance of strengthening cooperative governance, improving access to financing, and implementing innovation at the farmer level.
“Strengthening cooperative governance, access to financing, and the adoption of innovation at the farmer level are important factors to ensure this program can create broader impacts for the advancement of community-based livestock farming,” he said.
Author: Diyana Khairunnisa
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Jasmine Ferdian
Photo: Magnific