MALANGTIMES - Minister of State Apparatus Empowerment and Bureaucratic Reform (Menpan RB) Asman Abnur was amazed by the livestock production and distribution of frozen semen services at the Office of the Balai Besar Inseminasi Buatan (BBIB) Singosari in Malang Regency on Wednesday (September 13, 2017) afternoon.

Asman's arrival was warmly welcomed by the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Agriculture (Kemenpan), Hari Priyono, and the Head of BBIB Singosari, Enniek Herwijanti. Upon arriving at the location, Asman Abnur and his entourage toured the BBIB laboratory to directly observe the process of storing frozen semen in the sperm bank.

After that, Asman walked around while observing various types of cattle and goats in the livestock pens. Shortly thereafter, he explored the production potential. Asman delivered a presentation regarding livestock production services at BBIB Singosari. He mentioned that the production services at BBIB Singosari are excellent. "We are very happy and proud of the livestock potential produced at BBIB Singosari. Needs like this support both animal food requirements and the national livestock and animal health development vision," said Asman.

According to him, if Indonesia has abundant livestock needs, there's no need to import meat from other countries. "Let's maintain this food production which can ultimately meet the needs of the people, thus ensuring no shortage in meat supply," he emphasized.

Asman revealed that BBIB Singosari's routine program involves implementing biosafety and examining disease cases in collaboration with the Balai Besar Veteriner Wates and Balitvet Bogor every six months. He also advised BBIB Singosari to continue providing technical guidance and national as well as international cooperation to livestock practitioners.

"The goal is to enhance competency in the field of livestock and foster international cooperation in terms of improving human resources, exchanging information and technology aimed at supporting economic development through the livestock sector," he said. "Most importantly, support is needed from all stakeholders and the government," he added.

Meanwhile, Head of BBIB Singosari, Enniek Herwijanti, added that the production and distribution of frozen semen services have reached more than 39.88 million doses by 2017. "With this production, if Indonesia were to import, the government could save more than Rp 12 trillion," she explained. (*)