Suherdjoko, The Jakarta Post, Semarang | Wed, 01/28/2009 5:17 PM
Farmers in Semarang, Salatiga and Boyolali regencies in Central Java have been forced to dump thousands of liters of fresh milk they are unable to sell to industries which prefer cheaper, imported milk.
A farming cooperative in Getasan, Semarang, reported that it had thrown away 22,000 liters of milk, worth Rp 66 million (around US$6,000) since local dairy factories began purchasing less local milk.
“We had to throw the milk in to the river because the industry refuses to buy it and we don't have enough storage room, while fresh milk keeps coming everyday,” Widodo, chairman of the coop, told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.
Farmers in Central Java sell their milk to five main producers of dairy products, namely Bendera, Indomilk, Ultra, SGM, and Nestle.
“Those factories have only profit on their minds. When imported milk was expensive they bought our milk, even though it was not as good. But now, after we managed to improve the quality, they choose the cheaper import,” Agus Warsito, Chairman of the Central Java chapter of the Indonesian Dairy Cow Farmer Association, said.
Agus said the government has to protect local farmers by raising import taxes on milk. (dre)
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