Deputy Minister: Palm Oil-Cattle Integration Key to Solving National Meat Deficit

Deputy Coordinating Minister for Food Hanif Faisol Nurofiq believes the integration model of oil palm plantations with cattle farming is a strategic solution to overcome the national meat deficit while sustainably increasing land productivity. “This has great potential to support the fulfilment of national meat needs and reduce dependence on imports,” Hanif said in a statement in Jakarta on Saturday. He made the remarks while inspecting a farm under the Palm Oil-Cattle Integration System (SISKA) programme in the plantation area of PT Buana Karya Bhakti, Satui District, Tanah Bumbu Regency, South Kalimantan, on Friday (19/6). According to Hanif, the natural cattle breeding system in plantation areas has proven more efficient than artificial insemination. Besides lower costs, the natural reproduction process is considered more effective because all the hormones required for pregnancy are available naturally. “This model is very suitable for breeding. After the calf is three to nine months old, it is weaned and separated so that its growth is more uniform,” Hanif said. Based on the manager’s explanation, the cattle population at PT Buana Karya Bhakti, which initially numbered only around 300, has now grown to nearly 1,500. The population is maintained on almost 16,000 hectares of plantation land. Hanif explained that with a ratio of about one cow for every 13 hectares of land, the potential for palm oil-cattle integration in South Kalimantan is very large. Of the total approximately 480,000 hectares of oil palm plantations in the province, around 250,000 hectares are deemed suitable for the SISKA programme. “If these 250,000 hectares are integrated, then at least around 20,000 cattle can be raised. This number can help meet the shortage of beef cattle needs in South Kalimantan,” he said. He revealed that the demand for cattle in South Kalimantan reaches around 56,000 to 57,000 head, while current production capacity is only about 33,000 head, leaving a shortfall of more than 20,000. The former Minister of Environment added that the programme’s success aligns with Presidential Instruction Number 14 of 2025 concerning Food, Energy, and Water Self-Sufficiency Areas. If the palm oil-cattle integration concept can be expanded nationally, Indonesia’s animal food security will be further strengthened. Nationally, Hanif said Indonesia has more than 17 million hectares of oil palm plantations. Assuming one cow requires 13 to 15 hectares of land, the integration potential is estimated to accommodate around 1.3 million cattle. “That figure is actually capable of meeting national needs. Our meat requirement is about 800,000 tonnes per year, while domestic production is only around 400,000 tonnes, so there is still a shortfall that has been met through imports,” he explained. Besides supporting meat supply, palm oil-cattle integration is also considered beneficial for the plantation sector. The presence of cattle can reduce weed clearing costs by 50 to 70 percent, while livestock manure can increase soil fertility and support the growth of oil palm plants. To avoid negative impacts on the soil, Hanif said a rotational grazing system is implemented, where cattle only stay in one location for one day before being moved to another area. The government, Hanif continued, will further discuss the development of the SISKA programme with relevant ministries, including the Ministry of Agriculture and the trade sector, to formulate regulations and create a sustainable business climate. “We do not need to impose livestock models from other countries. We must adapt them to Indonesia’s character. This palm oil-cattle integration is one of the competitive advantages that can be developed to address national meat needs,” he said.