Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto will distribute 1,098 sacrificial cows across the country for Eid al-Adha 1447 Hijriah, with the animals set to be delivered to provinces, regencies, municipalities, religious leaders, educational institutions and community organizations nationwide.
The cattle, many weighing between 800 kilograms and one ton, are part of the presidential social assistance program funded through the state budget. Officials said the initiative reflects both religious observance and the government’s broader effort to support local livestock farmers and regional economies.
Deputy State Secretary Minister Juri Ardiantoro said the procurement of the sacrificial animals was financed using approximately Rp100 billion from the Presidential Social Assistance Fund.
Speaking at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta on Tuesday, Juri said the cattle selected for the program are classified as premium breeds and have passed strict health and religious compliance checks.
“The sacrificial cattle are premium-quality cows,” Juri told reporters. “All of them have received animal health certificates and are declared healthy. In addition, the cattle meet Islamic requirements for sacrificial offerings, including being male, older than two years, and free from physical defects.”
The large-scale distribution program will cover all 38 provinces in Indonesia as well as hundreds of regencies and cities. According to the government, the initiative is intended not only to commemorate Eid al-Adha, one of the most important Islamic holidays, but also to stimulate the domestic livestock industry.
Juri explained that several premium cattle breeds were selected for the presidential sacrifice program this year. These include Simmental, Limousin, Brahman, Angus, Belgian Blue, Charolais, Friesian Holstein, Bali cattle and Ongole crossbreeds.
The animals were sourced through coordination between the Ministry of State Secretariat, the Presidential Secretariat, the Ministry of Agriculture and regional governments. Authorities emphasized that all cattle were purchased from local Indonesian breeders rather than imported suppliers.
The government sees the annual sacrificial cattle program as an opportunity to encourage farmers to improve livestock productivity and breeding standards.
“This momentum can encourage farmers to improve the quality and productivity of their cattle because they know that every year the President will require high-quality sacrificial animals,” Juri said.
Under the distribution plan, President Prabowo will allocate 598 cows to all provinces and 514 regencies or municipalities. Some regions are expected to receive more than one animal due to limited availability of cattle meeting the presidential weight standard of at least 800 kilograms.
The remaining 500 cows will be delivered to religious institutions, schools, universities, community leaders and prominent religious figures across Indonesia.
The government also instructed recipients to prioritize the distribution of meat to low-income communities and families in need during Eid al-Adha celebrations.
“For Jakarta’s Istiqlal Mosque, the President will donate one Simmental cow weighing 1.3 tons, as has become customary,” Juri said.
Istiqlal Mosque is the largest mosque in Southeast Asia and traditionally receives one of the most prominent presidential sacrificial animals each year.
Eid al-Adha, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God. Muslims around the world mark the holiday by performing prayers and distributing sacrificial meat to relatives, neighbors and disadvantaged communities.
In Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation, the holiday carries major social and economic significance. Millions of cattle, goats and sheep are sacrificed annually, creating a seasonal boost for livestock traders, breeders and transportation businesses.
The presidential sacrifice program has become a longstanding tradition under successive Indonesian administrations. However, the scale of this year’s distribution under President Prabowo marks one of the largest allocations in recent years.
Government officials said the program also aligns with efforts to strengthen food security and domestic livestock production amid concerns about inflation and rising food demand.
The use of locally sourced cattle is expected to provide direct economic benefits to breeders in rural areas. Many farmers reportedly spent months preparing animals specifically to meet the presidential procurement standards.
According to officials, the cattle selected for the program underwent veterinary examinations to ensure they were free from infectious diseases and met national livestock regulations.
The Ministry of Agriculture has intensified monitoring ahead of Eid al-Adha to prevent outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease and other livestock illnesses that could disrupt the holiday season.
Indonesia previously faced significant challenges related to livestock disease outbreaks, prompting tighter animal health inspections and stricter movement controls for sacrificial animals.
This year’s program comes as President Prabowo continues emphasizing food resilience, agricultural development and support for rural communities during the early stages of his administration.
Analysts say the Eid al-Adha cattle distribution also carries symbolic political importance because it allows the government to demonstrate outreach to communities across Indonesia’s vast archipelago.
The initiative is particularly significant for remote provinces and regencies where access to large sacrificial animals can be limited due to logistical and economic challenges.
By distributing premium cattle nationwide, the government aims to ensure broader participation in Eid al-Adha celebrations while supporting local economic circulation ahead of the holiday.
Officials stressed that the presidential cattle program should not be viewed solely as ceremonial assistance, but also as part of a broader effort to empower local breeders and strengthen Indonesia’s domestic livestock ecosystem.
The government has increasingly encouraged livestock self-sufficiency to reduce dependence on imported cattle and beef products. Programs involving local breeders are expected to contribute to long-term improvements in cattle production and quality standards.
In several regions, local administrations reportedly coordinated closely with livestock associations to identify breeders capable of supplying cattle that met the presidential specifications.
Some breeders described being selected as suppliers for the presidential program as a source of pride and recognition for years of livestock cultivation work.
The Eid al-Adha distribution initiative also reflects Indonesia’s broader tradition of communal sharing during major religious celebrations, especially among Muslim communities.
Religious organizations welcomed the government’s commitment to ensuring that sacrificial meat reaches vulnerable groups, particularly amid ongoing economic pressures affecting low-income households.
Observers note that the distribution of sacrificial animals has become increasingly organized in recent years, with digital monitoring systems and veterinary tracking helping authorities oversee procurement and delivery.
With preparations underway nationwide, regional governments are expected to coordinate slaughtering, meat processing and distribution activities closer to the Eid al-Adha celebrations.
President Prabowo’s administration has indicated that social assistance programs linked to religious and cultural events will remain an important component of public outreach and community welfare initiatives moving forward.
