July 15, 2010
Indonesia showcases its immense agribusiness opportunities
The 5th Indo Livestock 2010 Expo & Forum was successfully held on July 8-10 at the Jakarta Convention Center, Indonesia, bringing together a vast number of integrators, veterinarians, farmers, processors, retailers, importers and distributors from and beyond Indonesia.
Since its inception in 2002, Indo Livestock Expo & Forum has developed as one of the region''s premier livestock, feed and meat processing exhibitions. This year''s event was no exception, with participation by 350 exhibitors from 35 countries. As such, the organiser of the exhibition, PT Napindo Media Ashatama, expects a total of 12,000 visitors from domestic and overseas.
This year''s Indo Livestock was officially opened by Dr. Ir. Tjeppy D. Soedjana, Director General of Livestock Services, Ministry of Agriculture. In his opening speech, he said the three-day event "would provide an excellent platform for the livestock industry in Indonesia as well as the region to be updated on the latest trends, issues and technologies in this sector."
Soedjana pointed out that "he attaches great importance to this event as initiatives from this forum could lead to better policy formulation, which will in turn strengthen Indonesia''s livestock industry." Importantly, he added that "more job opportunities could be created in Indonesia''s agriculture sector as the country''s economic and political conditions continue to improve."
Co-located with the Indo Livestock 2010 was the 5th Indo Livestock Industry Conference, which featured experts and industry leaders sharing their views on key issues affecting the livestock and feed industries, such as feed management and production, virulent disease management, bio-security implementation, modern farming systems, meat processing technology as well as marketing and financing. With a total of 90 presentations available throughout the entire event, participants were able to learn and engage in in-depth discussions with the experts.
Some of the key presentations for the Indo Livestock 2010 were: "Raw material evaluation- How to determine the real value of feed raw materials?" by Sheila Ramos of Evonik Degussa, "Mold and salmonella control by activated propionates" by Dr. Maarten van der Heijden of Trouw Nutrition International, "Harnessing goodness of nature for optimum profits in poultry production" by Dr. Praful Kumar of Ayurvet Ltd., "Feed additive strategies to control gastro-intestinal colonisation of salmonella in poultry" by Li Li of Behn Meyer Kimia, "Indonesian national poultry improvement plan" by the US Department of Agriculture and Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), "Feed and feeding program for layer in hot climate" by Dr. Desianto Budi Utomo of Charoen Pokphand Indonesia, "Quality layer feed leads to increased egg production & decreased mortality during heat stress" by William Chin of Impextraco and "Ventilation in hatchery" by David Buessing of Chick Master.
Besides the seminars, another important aspect of the Indo Livestock 2010 was the continuation of the SDT (Milk, Meat & Eggs) Program, a campaign launched in 2008 to boost the consumption of animal protein among Indonesians. With plans to expand this movement onto a national scale, it will help reduce the number of malnutrition cases in Indonesia.
In recognition of their outstanding contributions to the feed and livestock industry, five individuals and organisations were also acknowledged at the Indonesian Livestock Industry Awards 2010, held in conjunction with the opening ceremony. This award is designed to encourage Indonesia''s feed, livestock and processing enterprises to achieve excellences in their respective fields.
Hosted by the Directorate General Livestock Services Department of Agriculture, this year''s Indo Livestock has also received the full support of all key organisations including Indonesian Poultry Breeder Association (GPPU), Indonesian Veterinary Medical Association (PDHI), Indonesian 
Veterinary Drugs Association (ASOHI), Indonesian Feedmills Association (GPMT), Indonesian Poultry Entrepreneur Association (GAPPI), Association Poultry Producers (GOPAN), Federation of Asean Poultry Producers (FAPP), Indonesian Poultry Information Centre (PINSAR), Indonesian Exhibitions Companies Association (ASPERAPI) and Indonesian Society of Animal Science (ISPI).
With its improving economic status, Indonesia will continue to be a major growth market for feed and livestock production as demand for meat rises in tandem. Crucially, the country''s livestock sector is undergoing a significant structural change from the traditional small-scale backyard farming to large integrated farms that employ technology to enhance efficiency and bio-security. This change has resulted in the huge demand for modern farming systems, improved breeding conditions and better animal nutrition and health products. Furthermore, the downstream meat processing industry has also seen strong growth rates amid higher domestic demand and exports.
Therefore, with its theme "Animal Production for Food Security and Safety", Indo Livestock 2010 provides a golden opportunity for exhibitors and visitors alike to educate and update themselves on the Indonesian feed and livestock sector, which is tipped to grow tremendously in the future.