TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) observed the cattle fattening operations of PT Karya Anugerah Rumpin (KAR) in Bogor District, West Java, on Tuesday.

The president observed several livestock facilities and the insemination technology employed to breed quality cattle.

"What we are seeing here is the upstream process for beef cattle breeding as part of the long-term program in which we will truly be able to achieve self-sufficiency in beef," President Jokowi remarked.

The representatives of PT KAR explained to the head of state that the feedlot was able to produce various types of male and female cattle of high quality.

Jokowi noted that according to calculation, the Indonesian government can implement the superior cattle breeding project within a period of 9-10 years.

Earlier, on Monday, Research, Technology and Higher Education Minister M. Nasir had stated at the presidential office in Jakarta that his ministry was conducting research on ways to improve cattle productivity and reduce cow imports by 15 to 20 percent.

"If we develop and apply the researched methods well, I believe we will be able to reduce cow imports by 15 to 20 percent in five years," Nasir remarked.

Minister Nasir explained that he had conducted the research project using a sample of Bali cattle weighing an average of 250 kilograms and which can weigh up to 500 kilograms after undergoing a particular treatment.

However, the minister pointed out that if the sample had involved Sumba cattle, weighing 250 to 300 kilograms on an average, the treatment could increase their weight to between 700 kilograms and a ton.

The minister added that the research had begun in 2010 and was expected to be applied in the field in 2016.

ANTARA