Indonesia To Import Calves In 2013

Jakarta, Dec 7 (ANTARA) - The government plans to import high-quality calves in an effort to increase cattle production in Indonesia and reduce the importation of frozen meat into the country. "We have estimated that the per capita beef consumption in 2013 will reach 2.2 kilograms, up 16 from 1.9 kilograms this year. The government has set the beef import quota for 2013 at 15 percent of the total demand of 500,000 tons," Deputy Minister of Agriculture Rusman Heriawan said here on Thursday. �Therefore, the government will import high-quality calves, which will be later be used in breeding programs across the country, so we can eventually ramp up cattle production and reduce our dependence on imported frozen beef,� he explained. "For this year, the importation quota, set at 92,000 tons, included the importation of calf as well as frozen meat. The government also increased the imported frozen meat quota for next year to 80,000 tons, doubling this year�s quota of 38,000 tons," Rusman pointed out. Although the quota has been increased, he said, Indonesia should strive for self-sufficiency in meat production. "Indonesia should not remain dependent on imported beef supplies. The government is making efforts to make Indonesia self-sufficient in meat," Rusman continued. However, he noted that the government�s meat self-sufficiency programs faced many challenges, such as �limited land availability and other supporting facilities�. "Self-sufficiency in beef demands huge investments. We will keep supporting such investments in the animal husbandry sector to stabilize domestic meat prices," Rusman said.