EduAsiaNews, Jakarta – Universitas Pembangunan Nasional “Veteran” Jakarta (UPNVJ), the University of Mataram (Unram), and the West Nusa Tenggara Provincial Government (NTB Provincial Government) are strengthening strategic efforts to bring Sumbawa wild horse milk to the international market. This initiative was marked by a meeting and discussion on the Sister Province cooperation between West Nusa Tenggara and Karaganda, Kazakhstan, held at the NTB Governor’s Office on Tuesday (June 2, 2026).
The meeting was attended by UPNVJ Rector Prof. Dr. Anter Venus, M.A., Comm., NTB Governor Dr. H. Lalu Muhammad Iqbal, S.IP., M.Si., and Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Indonesia, Serzhan Abdykarimov. This cross-border collaboration is aimed at enhancing the productivity, quality, and downstream development of Sumbawa’s flagship products to strengthen their competitiveness in the global market.
Sumbawa wild horse milk has long been recognized as one of West Nusa Tenggara’s distinctive products, carrying significant cultural, economic, and potential health value. Through this collaboration, the local commodity is being positioned not merely as a traditional product but as a value-added product developed through research, technology, and quality standardization.
The primary focus of the collaboration between NTB and Karaganda is the modernization of the management of Sumbawa’s native horse population, particularly in the development of horse milk derivative products. Karaganda was selected as a partner due to Kazakhstan’s strong tradition in horse breeding and the utilization of horse milk-based products. The transfer of knowledge and technology from Kazakhstan is expected to accelerate improvements in the quality of local products, enabling them to meet international consumption and distribution standards.
Two key innovations have become the focal points of this partnership. First is the enhancement of the quality of Sumbawa wild horse milk through more hygienic harvesting, processing, and storage methods. This measure is essential to preserve product purity, improve consumer safety, and strengthen market confidence in the quality of Sumbawa wild horse milk.
Second is the development of processing technology to convert wild horse milk into milk powder. This innovation is considered strategic as it can extend shelf life, facilitate distribution, and create opportunities for export to broader markets. In powdered form, Sumbawa wild horse milk has the potential to reach consumers across regions while maintaining its beneficial properties and unique characteristics as a regional flagship product.
“This cooperation serves as a bridge for the hidden pearl of Sumbawa Island to move to a higher level, achieve stronger competitiveness, and gain recognition on the global stage,” was the central message highlighted during the meeting.
UPNVJ plays a significant role in providing scientific oversight for the program through its Faculty of Health Sciences. UPNVJ academics and researchers will contribute to research on milk quality improvement, testing the benefits and safety of the product, and developing quality standards before the product is expanded to a wider market. The university’s involvement is crucial to ensuring that downstream development is not solely market-oriented but also grounded in scientific evidence and consumer protection.
The participation of Unram and the NTB Provincial Government further strengthens the local dimension of the collaboration. Unram possesses both academic and geographical proximity to the livestock potential of West Nusa Tenggara, while the provincial government plays a vital role in policy support, facilitating cooperation, and strengthening the regional economic ecosystem. This synergy is expected to generate direct benefits for livestock farmers, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), local communities, and the people of Sumbawa.
This technology adaptation program is also projected to serve as a gateway for developing other local potentials on Sumbawa Island, including products derived from wild buffalo milk. Through a combination of research, technology, and international collaboration, West Nusa Tenggara has the opportunity to expand its portfolio of flagship regional products capable of competing in global markets.
For UPNVJ, participation in this initiative reflects the university’s commitment to delivering knowledge and innovation that create tangible benefits for society. Under the leadership of Rector Prof. Dr. Anter Venus, M.A., Comm., the university continues to strengthen cross-sectoral and international collaborations as a concrete contribution to research downstreaming, regional empowerment, and the enhancement of Indonesia’s competitiveness on the global stage.(www.upnvj.ac.id)
