BRIN researches superior cattle and livestock feed to reduce import dependency
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) is conducting research to develop superior cattle and livestock feed in order to reduce Indonesia’s dependence on imports of livestock products and milk.
“The research currently being developed by BRIN is how we can produce superior cattle through breeding and also nutrition for livestock feed,” said BRIN Head Arif Satria on the sidelines of the International Strategic Meeting on Scientific Pathways for Sustainable Livestock Industry Transformation at the BRIN Office in Jakarta on Friday.
In its implementation, Arif emphasised that BRIN does not work alone, but collaborates with universities, the Ministry of Agriculture, and private sector partners.
“These private partners can synergise with BRIN to produce such innovations,” he said.
This collaborative approach leads to one main goal, namely to reduce national import dependency through increased domestic milk production and productivity.
“Therefore, the current first stage being carried out is research to produce superior cattle, to be able to increase that milk production,” he said.
In addition to focusing on production, Arif mentioned the second step that BRIN is paying attention to is creating research and innovations capable of adapting to climate change to establish a resilient livestock system.
“So that what is created is sustainable livestock. So, how we create sustainable farming,” said Arif Satria.
On the same occasion, the Minister of National Development Planning/Head of Bappenas, Rachmat Pambudy, affirmed that strengthening research and development is key to driving improvements in national livestock sector productivity.
Therefore, according to him, BRIN’s role is considered very strategic in building the foundation for productivity enhancements, from the poultry subsector to livestock animals such as beef and dairy cattle.
“Seeds are the source of progress in increasing production and productivity,” said Rachmat Pambudy.