Boosting Central Java's Milk Production, Ahmad Luthfi Wants Dairy Cow Contest Held

Governor of Central Java, Ahmad Luthfi, believes that the event can serve as a trigger for farmers to produce innovations and high-quality cattle. For this reason, Luthfi wants a dairy cow or milk-producing cow contest to be held in the future, in order to boost the productivity of dairy cattle farmers in Central Java. This would also increase milk production in the region. “We request the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, the Chairman of the MPR RI, and APPSI colleagues, not only to hold a beef (slaughter cattle) contest, but also a milk cow (dairy cow) contest needs to be organised,” said Luthfi, in a written statement on Saturday (25/4/2026). He conveyed this while attending the opening of the APPSI Central Java Cattle Contest Season 3 at Wonoland, Wonosobo Regency, Central Java, today. Luthfi revealed that the cattle population in Central Java totals 1.38 million head, consisting of 1.29 million beef cattle and 85,800 dairy cattle. From the beef cattle population, it produces nearly 1 million tonnes of meat per year. “Central Java’s meat production is approaching 980,000 tonnes, sufficient for national needs. What Central Java lacks is milk; for example, in the Batang area, there is a milk company that requires 80,000 litres per day, and the supply is still insufficient,” explained Luthfi. Luthfi also stated that his side is strengthening the livestock sector to achieve the food self-sufficiency target, which is a priority in the Central Java Mid-Term Regional Development Plan (RPJMD) for 2026. This includes providing quality seeds, quality animal feed, and improving animal health, one of which is through the Mobile Animal Health (Healing) programme. “We carry out Healing by going directly to the farmers. That means we provide health services by coming straight to the farmers,” said Luthfi. “Especially as Eid al-Adha approaches, we want all sacrificial animals in Central Java to be healthy and of quality,” he added. Deputy Minister of Agriculture RI (Wamentan), Sudaryono, agreed with what Luthfi said. According to Sudaryono, the availability of meat and milk in Indonesia still needs acceleration. Moreover, there is currently the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme that requires a large supply of fresh milk. “That’s why we encourage beef and dairy cattle farmers to continue increasing their cattle populations,” said Sudaryono. Meanwhile, MPR RI Chairman, Ahmad Muzani, stated that this cattle contest brings together farmers, so they can exchange knowledge. “Wonosobo is one of the good places for cattle farming. We will continue to support so that the population of beef and dairy cattle in Indonesia keeps increasing, so that all community needs are met domestically,” said Muzani.