"Based on initial data from the National Statistics Agency (BPS) we have 14.3 million heads of cattle which is more than estimated with regard to ensuring self-sufficiency," he said to newsmen after a plenary cabinet meeting here on Thursday.
He said the stock is enough for meeting demand during the fasting month of Ramadhan. The condition is safe because the price of meat in the market also remains stable at around Rp64,450 per kilogram, he said.
He said the meat demand would certainly increase for the post fasting holidays. He said the country`s demand reaches 35,333 tons a month which will increase to 55,000 tons in the post fasting holidays.
Domestic production of meat at present is recorded at 26,342 tons a month so that the government needs to import the shortage. He said the import would decline in line with the government`s achievement in carrying out self-sufficiency programs.
"So imports would only be used to meet certain demand of industries and hotels and restaurants," he said.
BPS chief Rusman Heriawan meanwhile said the results of cattle census that had been done by BPS had increased the government`s confidence in achieving meat self-sufficiency.
He said the census already covered 99.8 percent of cattle which showed Indonesia has around 14 million cows.
"Only around 50 villages that have not yet been covered although it does not mean that the data have not yet been collected. It is a mere internet service issue. I have predicted that some villages could not as yet be able to intensely send information through an information system that we have built," he said before attending the cabinet meeting.
He said based on the initial results of the survey the number of cattle is 14.5 million, buffaloes 1,27 million and milk cows 574,000 so that the potential for meat production may reach around 16.3 million.
"In terms of number confidence in self-sufficiency is high," he said.
By self-sufficiency Rusman said 90 percent of demand could be met with local supply leaving only ten percent for import.
The cabinet meeting also discussed rice supply. Hatta Rajasa said rice production is increasing but the government still needs to take anticipatory measures with regard to unpredictable climate change.
"We would not take a risk with regard to rice supply," he said.
(T.F008*D013/H-YH/HAJM/A014)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
