MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, YOGYAKARTA – Muhammadiyah Central Board is expanding its nutrition initiatives through a strategic partnership with Uruguay, aiming to secure a steady supply of high-quality dairy products to support public health programs.
The meeting, held at Muhammadiyah’s headquarter in Yogyakarta, brought together senior officials and Cristina Gonzales, Uruguay’s ambassador to Indonesia. The visit marked her second engagement with Muhammadiyah, following an earlier meeting in Jakarta in July 2025.
Hilman Latief, Muhammadiyah’s General Treasurer, welcomed the delegation alongside M. Nurul Yamin, the National Coordinator of Muhammadiyah Nutritious Meals Program.
Uruguay, known for its globally competitive dairy industry, has emerged as a key partner in discussions focused on food security and nutritional development. Therefore, both sides explored opportunities to supply dairy products from Uruguay to support Muhammadiyah’s flagship initiative, the Muhammadiyah Nutritious Meals Program.
Expanding Strategic Partnerships for Food Security.
Hilman emphasized that the collaboration represents a crucial step in strengthening the program’s broader ecosystem. In addition, he noted that sustainable nutrition initiatives require not only resources but also reliable international partners.
“We have prepared extensively,” he said on Saturday (4/4). “To support strategic programs in food security, we need partners who are both strong and efficient.”
He added that the legal framework for exporting dairy products from Uruguay to Indonesia has now been agreed upon. Consequently, this development opens significant opportunities for deeper cooperation with long-term impact.
“Although challenges remain, we are optimistic that this partnership will deliver sustainable benefits,” Hilman said.
Uruguay Signals Strong Commitment
Ambassador Cristina Gonzales reaffirmed her country’s readiness to support Indonesia’s nutrition goals. Moreover, she highlighted Uruguay’s capacity as a major producer of livestock-based products, particularly dairy.
“Uruguay has strong capabilities in producing high-quality dairy products,” she said. “We are very open to collaborating with Indonesia, especially in programs such as free nutritious meals.”
She expressed confidence that the partnership would create tangible benefits for both countries, while also strengthening bilateral ties.
Scaling Up Nutrition Programs Nationwide
Muhammadiyah has significantly expanded its nutrition infrastructure in recent years. Currently, the organization operates 187 Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units across Indonesia, reaching nearly 380,000 beneficiaries.
As the program continues to grow, demand for nutritious food supplies, including diary, has increased substantially. Therefore, securing a stable and high-quality supply chain has become a priority.
Through this cross-border collaboration, Muhammadiyah and Uruguay aim to enhance food security while improving the nutritional quality of Indonesia’s younger generation. At the same time, the partnership reflects how international cooperation can contribute to sustainable development and public welfare. (bhisma)
