Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Hundreds of dairy farmers, milk distributors, and collectors staged a dramatic protest in Boyolali, Central Java, on Saturday, November 9, by dumping thousands of liters of milk and bathing in it at the iconic Milk Statue. The protest was organized in response to restrictions on the sale of local milk to processing factories, which farmers say have severely impacted their livelihoods.
Sriyono Bonggol, the protest coordinator, stated that approximately 50,000 liters of milk were disposed of as a sign of solidarity among local dairy farmers. “In total, around 50,000 liters, or 50 tons, of milk were thrown away during this demonstration. If we estimate the value at Rp8,000 per liter, that’s equivalent to Rp400 million ($25,000) lost,” Sriyono explained.
The milk used in the protest came from over 20,000 farmers across the Boyolali region. They arrived in a convoy of pickup trucks loaded with large jerry cans and drums filled with milk, many of which displayed banners expressing their grievances against the dairy industry.
Before throwing away the milk at the Winong disposal site, they also held a milk bath action in front of the pure milk monument.
The protest made its way through the main streets of Boyolali, passing government offices before stopping at the Milk Statue near the Boyolali Market. There, protesters held a symbolic “milk bath” demonstration, with some protesters immersing himself in a drum of fresh milk and pouring it over his body, a spectacle that quickly drew the attention of passersby and went viral on social media.
In addition to dumping milk, some protesters opted to distribute it to the public for free. Pedestrians and motorists passing by were handed bottles, gallons, and various containers filled with fresh milk. “We distributed about 1,000 liters of fresh milk today. This is milk that was collected just this morning,” Sriyono added.
After their demonstration at the monument, the protesters head to the Winong landfill to dispose of the remaining milk that could not be absorbed by the milk processing industry (IPS).
Restrictions on Raw Milk
The protest was a direct response to recent restrictions imposed by milk processing industry (IPS) on the intake of locally sourced raw milk. According to Sriyono, these limitations have been in effect for about two weeks, leaving an estimated 30,000 liters of milk from Boyolali unsold each day.
“Every day, 30,000 liters of milk from Boyolali are rejected by the processing plants due to intake limits,” he explained.
The restriction has led to an oversupply of milk piling up at local dairy cooperatives and small businesses, forcing many to discard their product. “If the situation continues, the cooperatives may shut down, which would be devastating for the farmers who rely on milk sales to cover their families’ living costs and cattle feed,” Sriyono added.
Local Government Investigates Potential Impact of Imports
Ignasius Hariyanta Nugraha, the Acting Head of the Central Java Provincial Livestock and Animal Health Service (Disnakkeswan), confirmed that they had received reports of declining milk absorption by milk processing industry (IPS). According to the IPS, the reduction is due to machinery maintenance and a drop in consumer purchasing power. However, some farmers suspect the real issue may be an influx of imported milk disrupting the local market.
“We are currently investigating these claims, but as of now, there have been no reports confirming the entry of imported milk into the processing industry in Central Java,” Hariyanta stated. “If such imports exist, they would require authorization from the central government.”
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Hariyanta also highlighted the recent efforts to support dairy farmers, especially after they faced production challenges due to a foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak. He noted that President Prabowo Subianto’s recent “Free Milk Program” had provided a glimmer of hope for local farmers, who anticipated increased demand for their products.
Central Java Livestock Authorities Respond to the Crisis
In response to the dairy farmers protest, the Central Java Livestock Department plans to coordinate with Boyolali’s local authorities to find a solution. “We will work with the Boyolali Livestock and Fisheries Department to ensure dairy farmers do not go out of business,” Hariyanta said on Saturday.
He also mentioned that Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman is aware of the issue and has scheduled a coordination meeting for Monday November 11 with representatives from the milk processing industry and officials from key milk-producing regions.
“The Minister will look into why the processing plants are unable to purchase milk from local farmers, despite the sales restrictions affecting suppliers from Central Java and other provinces,” he added.
The meeting aims to address the root causes of the issue, ensuring that dairy farmers in Boyolali and other parts of the region can sustain their livelihoods amidst ongoing challenges in the dairy industry.
(Raidi/Agung)
