USDEC launches training program in Indonesia to boost dairy sector

INDONESIA – The U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) has launched its Training for Farmers Program this week in Bogor, marking a step forward for the U.S.-Indonesia Dairy Partnership Education project. 

The joint effort, which includes collaboration with the New Mexico State Department of Agriculture (NMDA), New Mexico State University, and local Indonesian partners such as Global Dairi Alami, Cimory, and Ultrajaya, aims to enhance the skills of Indonesian dairy farmers.

The initiative, over a year in the making, is a key part of the U.S.-Indonesia Dairy Partnership (USIDP), which is designed to provide critical training in areas like farm management, cattle health, nutrition, and disease prevention. 

According to USDEC the initiative plays a vital role in Indonesia’s broader Free Nutritious Meal Program, which seeks to combat malnutrition by improving access to nutrition, particularly through milk consumption for school children and other at-risk groups.

Currently, Indonesia is home to approximately 160,000 dairy farmers who care for more than 513,000 dairy cows, primarily concentrated in Java. 

Jonathan Gardner, senior vice president of USDEC’s Market Access and Regulatory Affairs, emphasized the importance of investing in the development of Indonesian dairy farmers to ensure the growth and sustainability of the nation’s dairy sector.

In addition to in-person education, the program provides a remote learning component, allowing trainers and farmers to access training modules via mobile devices. 

This hybrid approach ensures that farmers across Indonesia can benefit from customized training that addresses specific local challenges while enhancing their skills and productivity. 

Robert Hagevoort, Professor and Extension Dairy Specialist at New Mexico State University, noted that the training materials were tailored to meet the needs of Indonesian farmers, incorporating both U.S. farming practices and local insights.

During the training, participants gained valuable knowledge about improving farming practices, with some, like Sumardi, a farmer from Gumilang Farm, expressing their realization that certain practices they had been using were incorrect. 

Sumardi shared that he planned to implement the new techniques to improve his farming operations. The program aims to train 100 farmers by the end of this year, thereby improving dairy production and enhancing access to high-quality nutrition throughout the country.

Before the Training for Farmers event, USDEC also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Institut Pertanian Bogor (IPB) University, signaling a new partnership to support training for educators at the university. 

According to Prof. Dr. Arif Satria SP, M.Si, Principal of IPB University, this partnership aligns with their commitment to improving Indonesia’s agricultural sector and empowering dairy farmers.

In related news, the Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA) recently announced a new grant program funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) aimed at supporting organic dairy processors. 

The US$3.75 million in competitive grants will be used to promote organic dairy production and distribution, particularly for young consumers in schools and youth organizations across the Midwest.

Danica Nilsestuen, director of sustainability and grants at the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, highlighted that the new funding would help strengthen the organic dairy industry, reaching the next generation of consumers.

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