Bapanas Chief Discusses Egg Price Stabilisation with Farmers

The Head of the National Food Agency (Bapanas) and concurrent Minister of Agriculture, Andi Amran Sulaiman, gathered representatives of laying hen farmers from across Indonesia to discuss efforts to maintain egg price stability at the producer level. ‘We thank our fellow Indonesian laying hen farmers who attended to meet us, requesting policies that could improve the falling egg prices,’ Amran said in Jakarta on Tuesday. He stated the government is moving quickly to address the oversupply problem that has driven farm-gate prices for purebred chicken eggs below profitable levels. According to him, the government has prepared measures to protect farmers from potential losses due to excess stock, safeguard the sustainability of farming businesses, and stabilise egg supply and prices. ‘I am proud that Indonesian laying hen farmers can meet the needs of the nation’s children, produce a surplus, and even export to other countries. Meanwhile, we have taken several policy decisions and steps to protect them and ensure they do not incur losses,’ he said. He conveyed that the government will oversee the implementation of the Purchase Reference Price for eggs at the farm level, set at Rp26,500 per kilogramme. He also urged farmers to participate in monitoring the enforcement of this egg purchase reference price. Additionally, the government, through the State Logistics Agency Perum Bulog, is distributing maize under the Food Supply and Price Stabilisation Programme to various regions to maintain the stability of animal feed prices and support the continuity of farming operations. ‘I telephoned the Head of the National Nutrition Agency directly, and she immediately agreed. God willing, the quantity and quantum will be increased for our National Nutrition Agency programmes across Indonesia,’ he noted. Amran stated that egg distribution for the Free Nutritious Meals Programme will be increased to three times per week. ‘Yes, three times a week, that will be implemented quickly,’ he said. Chairman of the National Laying Hen Farmers Association, Yudianto Yosgiarso, appreciated the government’s swift action to help the continuity of farmers’ businesses. He noted the increased absorption of eggs for the Free Nutritious Meals Programme would significantly help farmers manage the oversupply. ‘This helps us greatly, and we also thank the Minister for his initiative. The National Nutrition Agency will also absorb eggs from farmers, returning to three times a week, whereas recently it had only been once,’ Yudianto said. He urged traders and business actors to comply with the government-mandated egg purchase reference price regulations. Moreover, he called on farmers to immediately report to the National Food Agency if they find egg purchases priced below the government-set reference.