Indonesia Partners with Vietnamese Investors for Large-Scale Dairy Industry Development in Poso
Through the Ministry of Agriculture, the Indonesian government is set to partner with Vietnamese investors to develop a large-scale dairy industry in Poso, Central Sulawesi. This development program supports President Prabowo Subianto’s initiative to provide free nutritious food.
The program aims to benefit 82 million schoolchildren, with milk being a crucial component of this nutritious food initiative. The partnership will focus on enhancing domestic milk production capacity and achieving food independence.
According to Moch. Arief Cahyono, Head of the Public Relations and Information Bureau at the Ministry of Agriculture, this dairy industry project, which utilizes a project area of 10,000 hectares, is expected to boost national milk production by approximately 1.8 million tons within three to five years.
If the project proceeds smoothly, it could begin to meet the domestic milk demand, as Indonesia currently relies heavily on milk imports, amounting to 3.7 million tons each year.
Thus, the forthcoming actions align with President Prabowo Subianto's directives to reduce Indonesia's import dependence and strengthen local industries.
Economic Benefits: Job Creation and Unemployment Reduction
One of the positive impacts of this program is the creation of new jobs across various sectors, particularly in rural areas.
According to Arief, this program will not only provide independence in milk production but also invigorate the economy in the rural areas surrounding Poso, a region known for its agricultural and livestock potential.
To meet the national demand for milk and beef, the Indonesian government has collaborated with 46 domestic and international companies. This effort aims to bring in approximately 1.3 million cattle, which will serve as the backbone of domestic milk and beef production.
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Collaboration with Vietnamese Investors: A New Hope for the Dairy Industry
One strategic step taken by the government is partnering with foreign investors, specifically from Vietnam, to tackle this issue. The collaboration with Vietnamese investors is expected to significantly impact the enhancement of national milk production. “This collaboration aims not only to increase milk production but also to contribute to achieving milk self-sufficiency in the future,” said Arief.
This initiative is vital, as it will not only contribute to national food security but also reduce Indonesia's dependence on milk imports, which have long burdened the economy.
