Prabowo Plans to Use Cloning Technology to Boost Indonesia’s Cattle Population

JAKARTA, Jakartaweekly.com — President Prabowo Subianto plans to use cloning technology to meet Indonesia’s domestic demand for cattle.

He conveyed the plan during his state address at the House of Representatives (DPR). The country’s leader said Indonesia currently needs a large number of cattle.

“Ladies and gentlemen, for example, to increase our meat production, we need a large number of cattle. Yes, through this, we can obtain cloning technology,” he said in Jakarta on Friday, August 14, 2026.

He said Indonesia could increase its cattle population by using cloning technology.

According to data from the National Food Agency (Bapanas), the government has set import quotas to secure the domestic supply of ruminant meat (beef and buffalo meat) in 2026.

With annual consumption estimated at 794,300 tons, Indonesia is still expected to rely on imports to meet domestic demand.

The import quota for feeder cattle and buffaloes for consumption has been set at 700,000 head and is allocated to private-sector businesses. The number is estimated to be equivalent to 189,700 tons of beef and buffalo meat. In addition, private-sector businesses have been allocated an import quota of 30,000 tons of beef.

In its Beef/Buffalo Meat Food Balance Projection as of January 6, 2026, Bapanas estimated that Indonesia would enter 2026 with 41,700 tons of beef and buffalo meat in stock.

With the 2025 carry-over stock of 41,700 tons into 2026, national beef and buffalo meat supplies are considered relatively secure, including for the Ramadan period from February to March.

Combined with projected domestic production of 421,200 tons during the year, meat supplies from the slaughter of imported feeder cattle and buffaloes equivalent to 189,700 tons, and additional imported meat supplies, total national availability is projected to reach 949,700 tons.

Meanwhile, annual consumption of beef and buffalo meat is estimated at 794,300 tons, covering both household and non-household demand nationwide.

Furthermore, government food reserve (CPP) stocks in the form of beef and buffalo meat also remain at relatively adequate levels. As of January 22, 2026, CPP stocks stood at 8,000 tons of beef and 3,000 tons of buffalo meat.

ID FOOD held a combined 11,000 tons of beef and buffalo meat, while Perum Bulog held 18 tons.

The government, together with state-owned food enterprises, continues to strengthen CPP stocks of beef and buffalo meat. Distribution of CPP beef and buffalo meat is also being carried out consistently through market operations, including the Affordable Food Movement (GPM) across Indonesia.