South Kalimantan plans to add 22,000 cows for meat self-sufficiency

The South Kalimantan Provincial Government is trying to add 22,000 cows to South Kalimantan to realize the province's meat self-sufficiency by 2029 target. South Kalimantan Province Plantation and Livestock Office (Disbunnak) Head Suparmi stated in Banjarbaru City, South Kalimantan on Feb. 5, 2025 that 53,889 cows are needed to achieve the target.

"With that number of cows, it is estimated that we could produce more than 260,000 beef cattle by 2029, in accordance with South Kalimantan's meat self-sufficiency target," she explained.

Suparmi divulged that the number of cows raised by farmers or herders has only reached 31,486 so far.

"That means that, based on calculations for need, there is still a shortage of 22,403 [cows]," she noted.

South Kalimanta's need for meat, said Suparmi, reached 57,645 cattle or about equal to 7,135.29 metric tons.

Suparmi said that efforts are being made to meet the province's need for meat so the province would not require supply from outside it. Said efforts include implementing the Integration System for Oil Palm Cattle Based on Nucleus Estate and Smallholder Livestock Business Partnerships.

She explained that the program has formed 26 clusters managed by several farmer groups or community breeders under the guidance of the South Kalimantan Disbunnak.

"We are trying to reach 50 clusters by 2029," she said.

Suparmi added that investment that involved investors from within and outside South Kalimantan are utilized to found a program cluster.

"Currently, there are 14 clusters that already have investment profiles, the rest are in the preparation stage," she revealed.

To monitor the program, said Suparmi, the South Kalimantan Provincial Government continues to provide coaching, monitoring, and assistance in the form of cattle husbandry facilities and infrastructure, such as cages and electric fences.