[Unpad Media Channel] Milk is a mandatory component of the Free Nutritious Meals program increase the intake of animal-based protein. However, its realization remains constrained by low national productivity due to limited availability of high-quality feed.
This was conveyed by Dr. Argi Argiris, B.A.Sc., M.P., representing the Director General of Livestock and Animal Health Services (LAHS), Ministry of Agriculture, the Republic of Indonesia, Dr. dvm. Agung Suganda, M.Si., during the International Seminar titled “Indonesian Dairy Farming Scale Up Strategy” held at Bale Sawala, Universitas Padjadjaran (Unpad) Rectorate Building, Jatinangor Campus, on Wednesday, December 10, 2025. Dr. Argi also serves as Chair of the Dairy Ruminant Working Group under the Directorate General LAHS, Ministry of Agriculture.
The event was organized by Unpad through the State-Owned Enterprises Center of Excellence and the Faculty of Animal Husbandry, in collaboration with the US-Indonesia Dairy Farmer Partnership (USIDP), U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC), New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA), New Mexico State University (NMSU), the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, and the University of Wisconsin.
“Through this opportunity, the United States-Indonesia Dairy Partnership can serve as a platform for developing competent dairy farmers. Let us make the West Java USIDP (United States-Indonesia Dairy Partnership) program a launching point for building a more productive and advanced dairy sector in Indonesia,” Dr. Argi stated.
The event also featured the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Unpad, USDEC, and NMDA to establish a strategic alliance aimed at expanding the reach and accessibility of USIDP training programs. Through this collaboration, the capacity of small- and medium-scale dairy farmers will be strengthened through education and hands-on training on best dairy farming practices, ultimately supporting improvements in the quality and volume of national milk production.
Unpad Rector Prof. Arief S. Kartasasmita emphasized that this partnership establishes a formal framework to enhance collaboration in education, academic research, technical capacity building, and community empowerment. He noted that this collaboration aligns with national efforts to improve the quality and contribution of higher education to the country’s development, including support for the National Trade and Industry Program.
“Unpad believes that the transformative changes built through this partnership will become an essential foundation for advancing both national and regional development outcomes. The partnership with USDEC and NMDA holds strategic value, particularly in facilitating the transfer of global scientific knowledge and best practices, as well as driving the modernization of production systems and market governance,” Prof. Arief said in his remarks.
The event was also attended by Unpad Vice Rector for Research, Partnership, and Marketing Prof. Rizky Abdulah, B.Pharm., R.Ph., Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty of Animal Husbandry Prof. Dr. Eng. Rahmat Hidayat, B.A.Sc., M.Si., IPM., and representatives from the Faculty.
The Minister of National Development Planning/Head of BAPPENAS, Prof. Dr. Eng. Rachmat Pambudy, M.S., and the Minister of Cooperatives of the Republic of Indonesia, Dr. Ferry Juliantono, B.Ec., CPA., M.Si., also delivered remarks via video address.Unpad Rectoralso expressed his appreciation to Jonathan Gardner, Senior VP of Market Access and Regulatory Affairs at USDEC, who met with him prior to the start of the event.
Meanwhile, Aimee Pinkerton, USDEC’s Manager for Market Access and Regulatory Affairs, stressed that USDEC’s involvement in USIDP stems from its commitment to improving nutritional access in Indonesia through increased milk consumption, particularly among children. At the same time, Dustin Cox was present on behalf of NMDA as part of the MoU signing ceremony.
In implementing the program, USDEC collaborates closely with NMDA, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, and NMSU, along with several Indonesian universities and dairy producers, including Unpad.
“USDEC chose to collaborate with Unpad because we believe the university has the capacity to develop and disseminate knowledge to industry practitioners. Unpad is a strategic partner for US Dairy in delivering meaningful benefits to the Indonesian dairy industry,” Aimee stated.
The seminar also featured a number of speakers in the fields of dairy science and agribusiness. The session was moderated by the Chair of the Unpad State-Owned Enterprises Center of Excellence, Prof. Popy Rufaidah, B.Ec., M.B.A., Ph.D.
Acting Head of the West Java Provincial Office of Food Security and Animal Husbandry, Siti Rochani, B.A.Sc., M.M., presented on the challenges and barriers to increasing milk production in West Java; Dean of the Faculty of Animal Husbandry, Prof. Dr. Eng. Rahmat Hidayat, B.A.Sc., M.Si., IPM., delivered a presentation titled “Dairy Cattle Development in Indonesia: A West Java Perspective”.
Then, Prof. Dr. Roberts Hagevoort, MS, Ph.D., Extension Dairy Specialist from New Mexico State University, presented “Driving Change to Build Progressive Dairy Farmers”, and Agung Susanto Mukti, the General Manager of Corporate Strategy & Digital Transformation at Berdikari (State-Owned Enterprise), discussed “Strategic Partnerships for Sustainability.”
Through this seminar, Unpad reaffirms its commitment to strengthening academic contributions to the development of the national dairy sector through strategic, cross-border collaboration among stakeholders. The outcomes of discussions, partnerships, and initiatives built through this event are expected not only to enhance domestic milk production but also to support improved nutritional resilience in the journey toward Golden Indonesia 2045.
