inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. Vice Minister of Agriculture, Sudaryono, ensured that the availability of beef and buffalo meat ahead of the holy month of Ramadan until Eid 2025 is in a safe and controlled condition.

"The stock of meat for Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr is safe," he said, as reported by Antaranews on Wednesday (2/5/2025).

However, he admitted that to meet the need for meat, the government plans to carry out limited imports which will be carried out mostly by State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN).

He further states that BUMN has an important role as a state apparatus that can be directed to support national interests.

As an entity owned by the state, BUMN is easier to direct in accordance with government policies in order to maintain price stability, supply, or other strategic policies related to imports of goods.

"Yes, we have the available stock, if I'm not mistaken we have 18,000 tons, but it's still not enough. That's why we have decided today to immediately import. Most of the imports are done by BUMN. Why BUMN? Because they are tools of state, we can push them, we can order them, we can pressure them for the sake of the people," he said.

According to him, the spike in demand during the month of Ramadan was the main reason the government took the import step.

He also appealed to the public not to panic because the government continues to work hard to maintain the availability of meat supplies.

In his closing statement, he also emphasized the importance of meeting proper nutrition, especially through beef consumption, not only during Ramadan, but also in daily lives, in order to reduce stunting rates in Indonesia.

"We want how protein is available at affordable prices for our people because we need it to combat stunting, people have to increase their nutrition by eating lots of protein," he explained.

(ad/fa/pr/nm)