The 13th GPMT Congress A Celebration In Togetherness
Forty years of a person’s existence is commonly signified as maturity and wisdom. In an organizational point of view, forty years marks professionalism and integrity, which are justified by GPMT for being the only fodder manufacturers association in Indonesia.
Opening Ceremony
GPMT returns with its three-day congress that was held from the 19th to the 21st of May 2016 in Rancamaya Hotel, Bogor with a message on “The Assurance of Fodder Availability to Support Competitive Abilities.” The opening ceremony was attended by the Directorate General of Livestock and Animal Health and Directorate of Aquaculture (representative).
In his speech, Muladno as Directorate General of Livestock and Animal Health congratulates the association in regard of the congress. He also wishes GPMT for a stronger and more impactful future as well as to maintain its good relationship with the government. Muladno stated that GPMT holds an important role in establishing the country’s livestock industry.
In addition, Muladno communicate an input for GPMT, “I read that this is the 40th anniversary and the 13th congress. As a Directorate General I would like to contribute an input, the association is long established, yet it hasn’t been validated by the government because it is not registered in the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, which is very unfortunate for a big scale association like this. I humbly urge GPMT to register to the Ministry of Law and Human Rights,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the Directorate General of GPMT, Sudirman, declares that Indonesia is granted permission to feel gratified because the industry is relentlessly growing, although annual growth rate is below 8%. Fodder production has also reached 16 million tons in the past year. “Many business people believe that it will take less than 10 years for the growth rate to multiply. In conclusion, fodder industry will keep flourishing in accordance to the advancement of livestock and fisheries industry,” he stated.
He carried by asserting that Indonesia possesses the potential to grow. Some of the potential incudes Indonesia’s large population and the relatively low consumption of animal proteins. As a result, both local and international investors will keep targeting Indonesia’s fodder industry.
Sudirman confessed that he have met several multinational companies who have shown interest to invest in Indonesia. “We hope that the investment climate keeps on getting better and remains attractive for the investors. Yet there are challenges that we still have to overcome,” he concluded.
One of the difficulties that are still overshadowing the industry in the previous year is the availability of raw material (corn). “We constantly communicate with the government, and we obey the laws without question. Essentially, we are on the same side and on to the same goal, that is to further advance the livestock industry,” Sudirman concluded before the event commenced with a gong succession carried out by the Directorate General of Livestock and Animal Health, Muladno.
Interactive Talk Show
Unlike previous congresses, the 13th GPMT congress also executes a talk show that examines topics surrounding the association’s milestone over the years. Led by Harris Muhtadi and Anang Hermanta, the talk show invites former GPMT chairmen including David Rebo, Djali Somawidjaja, Danny Kusmanto, Boediarto Soebijanto, and the current chairman, Sudirman.
The casual occasion discusses multiple subjects, from the history of GPMT to issues within Indonesia’s livestock industry and how GPMT oversees the obstacle, contributes to the solution, and solve the problems.
“Today’s difficulties are not much different from when we were still occupy the position. Live chickens price fluctuations and raw material scarcity, for instance. The distinction is in the approach to the solution. In essence, every problem has a solution, the journey to the solution is what makes it meaningful to us,” reveals Danny Kusmanto.
Similar to Danny, fodder tax problems are imprinted in Djalil Somawidjaja’s memory. “I was so impressed, we held a seminar in Jakarta and it was overflowed with participants. And back then, negotiations with the government was tough. Our fight at the time demonstrates that we’re on the people’s side, the breeders, the cattlemen, and the stock farmers,” Djalil explained.
Preserving History
As an organization with a well-established reputation in the livestock industry, especially in the feeding sector, GPMT released a book titled “Buku Kenangan 40 Tahun GPMT, Catatan Industri Pakan Indonesia. Translated: 40 Years of GPMT, A Record of Indonesia’s Fodder Industry.” This book covers the long history of GPMT and its role within Indonesia’s livestock industry.
Livestock industry issues and strategic challenges that were present since the establishment of GPMT up until today are also included in the book. It also recites GPMT’s reactions and participations in providing solutions as a stakeholder in the industry.
The book generate many positive feedbacks, for example, the Directorate General of Livestock and Animal Health, Muladno states “Never neglect history, I will not have a definite answer in hand if someone had asked me when was exactly GPMT was inaugurated, let alone its function in earlier times. The book is quite helpful, GPMT is a partner to the government since its establishment up until today.”
Another response came from Heri Setiawan, a congress participant from PT Wonokoyo Jaya Corporindo. “This book proves that the former senior GPMT management had successfully delivers solutions to the problems present in the Livestock Industry. Accordingly, there will surely an answer for the current situations, it is only a matter on how we react to it,” he concludes.
Organization Amplification
On the second day of congress, GPMT announced that its members had grown from 52 to 75 in 2016. Also on the day, a session that involves the 3 commissions of GPMT was held, discussing current issues related to livestock, fisheries, and animal health, as well as on the addressing on the issues.
In addition, the accountability report from the aquaculture division and GPMT treasurer was stated. The congress was topped by the election of general chairman and the 4 chairmen, as well as the inauguration of the regional commissions. The election was slightly unique because the 4-chairmen constituent from the old governing body configuration is restored in order to strengthen the organization.
