Dairy Farmers Moved, Minister of Agriculture Amran Responds Quickly to Milk Polemic”/>MINISTER of Agriculture (Mentan) Andi Amran Sulaiman succeeded in mediating a meeting between dairy farmers and the milk processing industry in an effort to resolve the polemic about local milk absorption.
This quick step by the Ministry of Agriculture was greeted with gratitude and excitement by the farmers.
One of the milk collectors from Pasuruan, Bayu Aji Handayanto, who had staged an action to throw milk as a form of protest, could not hold back his tears when the farmer’s aspirations were finally heard and responded to by the government.
Bayu was touched by the attention given to the fate of local breeders.
“On behalf of dairy farmers in the villages, I am very touched because today we feel like we have a new father in the world of cattle farming. “Our aspirations were heard by the Minister of Agriculture, and the Minister of State Secretary and the Deputy Minister of Agriculture were also present,” said Bayu after the audience at the Ministry of Agriculture Head Office, Jakarta, Monday (11/11).
During the hearing, the Ministry of Agriculture agreed to a policy requiring the milk processing industry to absorb milk from local farmers. This step is good news for farmers, considering that milk has also been included in the list of Basic Necessities and Important Goods (Bapokting), which will strengthen protection for local farmers.
“Everything went smoothly. We were very moved because our struggle was responded to quickly. Our demands were not only accommodated, but even exceeded our expectations. “Thank you to the government, especially the Minister of Agriculture and Mr President Prabowo,” added Bayu.
Bayu also expressed the farmer’s commitment to improving the quality of local milk.
He said that the quality of the milk they produce meets national standards, although it is still below the quality of imported milk.
“We are committed to improving quality. “The Minister of Agriculture also promised that there would be further guidance from the industry to help improve the quality of domestic milk,” he said.
Previously, a number of farmers and collectors protested due to restrictions on milk absorption by the industry.
Responding to this problem, the Ministry of Agriculture immediately took quick steps by bringing together breeders and industry to find the best solution.
“We hope that industry together with the government will intervene in developing breeders and help improve the quality of domestic milk. “This is in line with President Prabowo Subianto’s vision, who requested that the government be present as a mediator to support joint growth between industry and livestock breeders,” said Minister of Agriculture Amran.
With this mediation, it is hoped that dairy farmers can continue to grow and develop along with industry and government support in improving the quality and competitiveness of local milk. (RO/Z-10)
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What specific challenges did Bayu Aji Handayanto and other dairy farmers face before their protest?
**Interview with Bayu Aji Handayanto, Dairy Farmer and Activist**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Bayu. Your recent meeting with the Minister of Agriculture has made headlines. Can you tell us about the issues you and other dairy farmers faced prior to this intervention?
**Bayu:** Thank you for having me. For quite some time, we’ve been voicing our concerns about the low absorption of local milk by processing industries. Many farmers have struggled to sell their milk, which has affected our livelihoods severely. We felt ignored and undervalued, which led to protests, including the action I took with my fellow farmers, where we publicly discarded our milk.
**Editor:** That protest got a lot of attention, and it seems to have sparked a reaction from the government. How did it feel to have your concerns finally acknowledged?
**Bayu:** It was a deeply emotional moment for all of us. When we participated in that protest, it was out of desperation. But being heard by the Minister of Agriculture and other high-ranking officials was incredibly validating. I was literally moved to tears when I realized that our voices mattered and that action was being taken. It felt like we had finally found a champion in the government.
**Editor:** The meeting led to an important policy change regarding local milk absorption. Can you elaborate on what that means for you and your fellow dairy farmers?
**Bayu:** Yes, during the meeting, the Ministry agreed on a policy that requires the milk processing industry to absorb locally produced milk. This is a significant step for us as it guarantees that our products will be purchased, ensuring our income stability. Additionally, milk being classified among Basic Necessities provides us with an extra layer of protection.
**Editor:** It sounds like this is a huge relief for you and your community. How do you feel about the future of dairy farming in your region now?
**Bayu:** I am optimistic! With the government’s commitment to support us, I believe we can rebuild and improve our dairy farming practices. It feels like we have a new father in the industry now—someone who truly listens and advocates for our needs. I hope this will lead to even more support and development for dairy farmers across the country.
**Editor:** Thank you, Bayu, for sharing your experience and insights. It’s inspiring to see how advocacy can lead to meaningful change.
**Bayu:** Thank you for having me! I’m hopeful that we can continue this momentum and ensure a brighter future for dairy farmers everywhere.
