Ironis, 50.000 Liter Susu Segar Dibuang Peternak Boyolali Saat Pemerintah Berencana Impor Sapi Perah

Summary

In Boyolali, Central Java, dairy farmers are discarding thousands of liters of milk in protest against industry restrictions that prevent milk from being processed. This comes amid the government's push for a free lunch and milk program, which aims to distribute milk to millions. Despite efforts to increase milk production through imports and breeding, farmers are struggling with overproduction and lack of processing capacity. While the government plans to import dairy cows, many argue that more should be done to support local dairy farmers and address the root causes of milk wastage in the face of growing national demand.

Takeaways

• 😀 Dairy farmers in Boyolali, Central Java, dumped tens of thousands of liters of milk on November 9, 2024, as a protest against milk quota reductions by dairy processing industries.
• 😀 The protest involved not only dumping milk into fields, canals, and rivers, but also distributing around 1,000 liters of free milk to the public at the Monumen Susu Tumpah (Milk Spill Monument).
• 😀 The protest coincided with the Indonesian government's launch of a free lunch and milk program under Prabowo and Gibran, aimed at providing milk to 82.9 million people, including students and pregnant women.
• 😀 The protest is a response to limitations on milk quotas by dairy processors, leaving farmers unable to sell their milk, with an estimated 50,000 liters of milk being wasted.
• 😀 The protestors also staged a 'milk bath' demonstration to raise awareness of the issue among the public.
• 😀 The local government acknowledged the reduction in milk quotas and plans to meet with industry representatives to address the issue, with a coordination meeting scheduled for November 11, 2024.
• 😀 The free milk program introduced by the government increases the national milk demand from 4.6 million tons to 8.7 million tons annually, creating a significant gap in supply.
• 😀 The government plans to import 2.15 million dairy cows and improve domestic milk production through better cow management and artificial insemination to bridge the supply gap.
• 😀 The government’s plan to increase milk supply through imports and improved production per cow is seen as a potential solution to the supply-demand imbalance caused by the free milk program.
• 😀 The protest highlights a potential disconnect between the government’s milk supply policies and the struggles of local dairy farmers, urging a more balanced approach to supporting domestic dairy production while meeting the growing demand.

Q & A

Why were dairy farmers in Boyolali, Central Java, discarding milk?

Dairy farmers in Boyolali discarded milk as a form of protest due to restrictions on milk quotas imposed by dairy processing industries. This action was taken because the farmers' milk could not be absorbed by the industries, leading to significant losses.

What impact did the government’s free lunch and milk program have on the milk supply?

The government's free lunch and milk program significantly increased the national demand for milk. The program aimed to provide free milk to 82.9 million people, raising the country's milk needs from 4.6 million tons to 8.7 million tons annually, exacerbating the milk supply issue.

What were some of the methods used by the dairy farmers to discard the milk?

The dairy farmers discarded the milk by pouring it into fields, drainage ditches, and rivers. Additionally, they gave away about 1,000 liters of milk for free to the public as part of their protest.

What did the dairy farmers’ protest include besides dumping milk?

Besides dumping milk, the dairy farmers held a public 'milk bath' protest at the Boyolali Milk Monument, demonstrating their dissatisfaction with the situation.

How did the local government respond to the milk disposal issue?

The local government acknowledged the issue and recognized that there had been a reduction in the milk quota absorbed by dairy processing industries in Central Java. They planned a coordination meeting with industry associations to discuss the issue and find a solution.

What long-term solution is the government considering to address the milk shortage?

To address the milk shortage, the government plans to increase the domestic milk supply by importing dairy cows and using artificial insemination. They aim to import 2.15 million dairy cows to meet the rising demand for milk.

What is the expected outcome of increasing the number of dairy cows?

By increasing the number of dairy cows, the government hopes to boost national milk production. The aim is to raise the average milk production per cow from 12.5 liters per day to potentially 15-20 liters per day, closer to international standards.

Why is there concern about the government’s plan to import dairy cows?

There is concern because many believe the government should prioritize supporting local dairy farmers rather than importing dairy cows. The dairy farmers' protest highlights the potential harm caused by such imports, especially when local milk could be used to meet national needs.

What is the broader issue affecting dairy farmers in Central Java and other regions?

The broader issue is the reduced milk quota for local dairy farmers due to industrial limitations in processing milk. This has caused many dairy farmers to suffer financial losses, and the situation is not isolated to Central Java but also extends to East Java.

How does the milk surplus in Boyolali relate to the government's free milk program?

The milk surplus in Boyolali, where farmers were discarding thousands of liters of milk, directly connects to the government's free milk program, which increased the demand for milk beyond what local farmers could produce, exacerbating the supply-demand gap.