BGN instructs East Java SPPG to optimise egg menus to stabilise prices

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), 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. This measure is intended to assist in absorbing the output of local farmers in response to the peaceful protest by layer chicken farmers in Magetan against the plummeting egg prices at the farm level. “We have instructed all SPPG in East Java to optimise the use of eggs in MBG menus, thereby helping to increase the absorption of eggs from farmers and maintain price stability at the producer level,” Nanik said in Jakarta on Friday. Nanik explained that, based on coordination with the MBG task force in Magetan Regency, the use of egg menus in SPPG is planned to be increased to up to three times per week. Previously, egg menus in MBG operations were provided twice a week. She added that SPPG in Magetan Regency have been using supplies of eggs from local farmers and not sourcing from outside the area to help stimulate the local economy. Earlier, on Wednesday (6/5), a number of layer chicken farmers in Magetan held a peaceful protest in the Magetan Town Square area and around the Grand Mosque of Baitussalam. During the protest, the farmers distributed around three tonnes of eggs for free to the public as a symbol of protest against the falling egg prices. The farmers stated that the current farm-gate price of eggs is in the range of Rp22,000 to Rp22,800 per kilogram, far below the government’s reference purchase price of Rp26,500 per kilogram. They also highlighted the high cost of animal feed and overproduction conditions that make it difficult for egg output to be maximally absorbed by the market.