Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesia’s Agriculture Ministry is seeking investment to develop large-scale cattle farms in Central Kalimantan, targeting a herd of up to 200,000 head as part of an integrated business ecosystem to secure the national meat supply.Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman said in a statement on Wednesday the plan supports Indonesia’s push for self-sufficiency in meat and milk while building modern, partnership-based livestock production centers.The project is centered in Sukamara District, Central Kalimantan, where integrated cattle farms will be developed across about 40,006 hectares. Initial stocking will begin with fewer than 1,000 head, with gradual expansion planned.Sulaiman said the project applies an Integrated Cattle Industry model that combines beef cattle, dairy cattle and downstream processing industries within a single production zone.The model also integrates cattle farming with oil palm plantations, allowing grazing in plantation areas to improve feed efficiency while producing organic fertilizer and boosting overall sustainability.Development will rely on modern grazing systems supported by research into grasses suited to marginal land, alongside processing facilities for meat and dairy products and supporting infrastructure to ensure efficient operations.Sulaiman said Indonesia’s vast natural resources require a more independent and sustainable approach to livestock development, especially to reduce reliance on imports.He stressed that faster progress depends on simpler regulations and legal certainty, adding the government is committed to creating an investment climate that allows businesses to focus on production and downstream expansion.The minister called for large-scale, integrated livestock ventures that can significantly increase the national cattle population through close cooperation between the government and private investors.“If investors are comfortable, they will invest more. If not, they advance twice and retreat twice. Ten years can be lost to permits. We must fix this,” he said.To spread economic benefits, the government has prepared a core-plasma partnership scheme, under which large firms act as core operators while smallholder farmers join as plasma partners.Financing support through People’s Business Credit loans and insurance coverage will also be provided to reduce risks and ensure sustainability, with the project expected to boost breeding stock, create jobs and drive regional economic growth.