Tanah Laut Optimistic to be Cow Centers

By Ulul Maskuriah

Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan (Antaranews) - Tanah Laut  (Tala) Regent Bambang Alamsyah is optimistic that the area will become a center for cattle and buffalo development in 2014 to meet the needs of the meat in and outside the province.

According to Regent, Tala ready to be the center for cattle development, especially now that this region is the largest cattle population in South Kalimantan. The number of cattle in Tala currently reaches 54,000 cows, 10 percent above the target of growth per year.

"Tala is a supplier of meat to other areas in South Kalimantan, plus the East and Central Kalimantan," he said in Pelaihari on Thursday. According to him, 40 percent of the meat supplied from Tala.

The readiness as a center for cattle also affirmed by the Vice Regent of Tala, Sukamta, that developments in technology now make it easier to meet fodder needs, while alternative sources such as corn and palm shells are 

available.

Head of the of South Kalimantan Animal Husbandry Agency, Sabrie Madani, said the number of cattle population in South Kalimantan this year reached 112 thousand head of cattles, the number will be increased with various programs.

"With the implementation applied technology from Kemenristek, we are optimistic to improve cattle and buffalo population in 2014," he said.

According to him, the population of cattle and buffalo in South Kalimantan is experiencing deterioration in 2013 

compared to 2011, for the buffalo reached 136 thousand heads.

Earlier, Minister of Research and Technology , Gusti Muhammad Hatta asked all parties in South Kalimantan carry 

beef self-sufficiency in 2014 , which became the government's priority program within 5 years since 2010.

According to Hatta , the government continues to encourage the success of the national program in South Kalimantan by applying technology development programs in large ruminant livestock and the Institute for Integrated Agricultural Development (BP3T) in Tambang Ulang, Tanah Laut, South Kalimantan, Monday (16/12).