Head of Department of Animal Husbandry and Animal Health of the Province of Bali, Putu Sumantra said Nusa Penida island, Klungkung Regency, continues to be developed into one of Bali’s cattle breeding places for superior quality.

“It’s called community breeding pattern, by then the economy of local people develops. Breeding program in Nusa Penida Bali has actually been started since 2011,” he said in Denpasar on Tuesday.

According to him, for breeding cattle on the island located in the southeast of the island of Bali, it also works closely with the University of Udayana and related parties so it can produce good cows.

“Breeding cattle are in people’s scale as it developed through groups. If seeding is given to large-scale enterprises, it will not give any benefit for small farmers,” he said.

Sumantra added, the number of potential Bali cattle there around 24 thousand and that can be taken out only about 2,000 and the quality is not good. “In Nusa Penida was not allowed to transfer cows from outer islands,” he said.

On the other hand, he added, Bali cattle breeding is also developed through Integrated Farming System unit (Simantri) which is the flagship program of the provincial government of Bali since 2009 until the end of 2013, more than 400 units of Simantri have been formed.

He said, in Bali there is still potential to expand cows because the recent amount is about 570 thousand, while the ability to be taken care of are at about 700 thousand.

“In general, demand for beef consumption in Bali is not too high. The biggest consumers are temporary residents and meatball sellers so when Idul Fitri is coming, in Bali beef demand actually decrease,” he said.