DIGIVESTASI – A dairy farmer and milk collector from Pasuruan Regency, East Java, Bayu Aji Handayanto, has gone viral after dumping his harvested milk. He took this action because he believed that the industry, which had contracts with collectors, was no longer fully committed. This, despite their 10-year partnership with a dairy factory in Jakarta.

Bayu revealed that since the end of September 2024, farmers, most of whom are from rural villages, have been selling their harvested milk to cooperatives or collectors. However, since then, factories have often provided reasons that force collectors to limit the amount of milk they can take in. If the milk doesn't sell, Bayu is left with no choice but to reject deliveries from farmers, leading to milk being discarded.

Bayu explained that the milk he discarded was fresh milk with a shelf life of only 48 hours, typically processed into ultra-high temperature (UHT) milk and pasteurized products. The amount of milk that had to be thrown away was enormous, reaching hundreds of tons, making it difficult to distribute to the community.

Pasuruan Farmers' Protest by Discarding Milk
Bayu’s protest is a form of dissatisfaction with the dairy industry, which is perceived to no longer be committed to the long-standing contract. Since late September 2024, farmers have sold their milk through collectors, but recently, factories have frequently found excuses to reject or limit the intake of milk.

As a result, collectors, including Bayu, are forced to dump unsold milk because it cannot be stored for more than 48 hours. Bayu also mentioned that attempts to distribute the milk to the public were challenging due to the sheer volume.

Bayu explained that the factory's quota restrictions were initially justified by machine repairs, but later it was said that the market was sluggish. Despite this, the factory continues to use imported milk as raw material, even though the price of imported and local milk is essentially the same.

According to Bayu, these restrictions are not limited to one factory but are happening in many dairy factories across Central and West Java. The phenomenon of milk dumping has spread across Java Island. Bayu even has video evidence of this, although many other farmers have been hesitant to speak out due to their involvement with government-sponsored free milk programs.

Bayu hopes this issue will receive attention, particularly regarding the use of local milk, which should support domestic production without relying on imported raw materials.

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