Jakarta (Antara Bali) - Agriculture Minister Suswono said special vessels would be operated to ship live cattle from producing centers in West and East Nusa Tenggara (NTB and NTT) as of March this year.
"Starting this year there will be boats to carry cows from NTB and NTT. They will start operating in March," he said after opening a Senior Officials' Meeting of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum here on Friday.
The ships are expected to smooth distribution of meat supply to eventually reduce the meat price that has soared due to a shortage of supply in the capital city, he said.
The minister said the cattle ships to be provided by PT Pelayaran Nasional Indonesia (Pelni) would function as "3 in 1" ships as they could also be used to carry goods and passengers. "So, Pelni will later operate 3 functions in 1 carrying passengers, goods and cows," he said.
The minister has also asked national airline companies to give a special discount for the shipment of frozen cow meat from a number producing centers in Indonesian regions such as NTT and NTB.(DWA/IGT)
