BGN Chief Orders MBG Kitchens in East Java to Bulk-Buy Eggs from Local Farmers, What's Going On?

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - The Deputy Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) for Public Communication and Investigation, Nanik Sudaryati Deyang, stated that her agency has instructed all Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG) in East Java to strengthen the use of egg-based menus in the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme as an effort to support the absorption of local farmers’ production. This responds to the peaceful action by layer chicken farmers in Magetan protesting the sharp decline in egg prices at the farm level. BGN, she said, understands the conditions faced by farmers who are currently under pressure due to high production costs and weak egg selling prices. “We have instructed all SPPG in East Java to optimise the use of eggs in MBG menus, thereby helping to increase the absorption of farmers’ eggs and maintain price stability at the producer level,” Nanik said in Jakarta on Saturday (9/5/2026). Nanik explained that, based on coordination with the Magetan Regency MBG Task Force, the use of egg menus in SPPG is planned to be increased to up to three times a week. Previously, egg menus in MBG operations were provided twice a week. “So to raise egg prices, the MBG programme will use egg menus three times a week. The MBG programme is indeed designed not only to meet public nutrition but also to provide economic impacts for local business actors, including layer chicken farmers,” she said. She added that so far, SPPG in Magetan Regency have used supplies of eggs from local farmers and do not take supplies from outside the area. This step is considered able to help the economic circulation of the local community. Previously, on Wednesday (6/5/2026), a number of layer chicken farmers in Magetan held a peaceful action in the Magetan Town Square area and around the Grand Mosque of Baitussalam. In the action, the farmers distributed around three tonnes of eggs for free to the public as a symbol of protest against the plummeting egg prices. The farmers stated that the current egg price at the coop level is in the range of Rp22,000 to Rp22,800 per kilogram, far below the government’s Reference Purchase Price (HAP) of Rp26,500 per kilogram. They also highlighted the high price of animal feed and overproduction conditions that make it difficult to sell eggs.