Central Java Deputy Governor Urges SPPG Kitchens to Source Eggs from Local Farmers for Free Nutritious Meal Programme

Central Java Deputy Governor Taj Yasin has urged kitchens involved in the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme to purchase eggs directly from local farmers. Speaking during a coordination meeting on the governance and supply chain of MBG raw materials in Central Java, Yasin emphasised the need for the programme to tangibly benefit local producers. “Today we want to ensure that farmers and breeders truly feel the presence of the MBG programme. The existence of these SPPG (MBG kitchens) must be able to boost economic growth in the community,” he said in a written statement on Friday (12/6/2026).

Data from the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) shows the average weekly egg requirement for all SPPG units in Central Java is 720,902 kilogrammes. This figure remains far below the province’s annual production potential of approximately 7.3 million tonnes. While egg absorption is low, the uptake of chicken meat is higher, with a weekly demand of 1,452,587 kilogrammes, equivalent to about 75,500 tonnes per year, or roughly 1.3 percent of Central Java’s total chicken production capacity.

To increase the local absorption of egg production, the Central Java provincial government plans to establish a joint agreement with farmer associations, cooperatives, and other stakeholders. This agreement will prioritise the procurement of raw materials for SPPG from within the region. “We will make an agreement that SPPG must absorb basic food needs from Central Java, especially eggs, chicken, and fish. They must buy here,” Yasin stressed. He cited the example of an SPPG in Banjarnegara Regency, where the needs for eggs, vegetables, and other foodstuffs should ideally be met first by local suppliers.

Beyond strengthening the local economy, the move is expected to reduce distribution costs and maintain price stability at the farmer and breeder level. Yasin acknowledged ongoing reports that some farmers are selling eggs for Rp20,000 to Rp21,000 per kilogramme, well below the government’s Reference Purchase Price (HAP) of Rp26,000 per kilogramme. “We want to ensure the community’s economy grows. Raw materials should not be taken from the community at prices below the government’s reference price,” he stated.

Reza Mahendra, Regional Coordinator of BGN for Central Java, added that the planned agreement represents a shared commitment to optimise the absorption of local raw materials. He noted that supervision will be strengthened through district/city MBG task forces and BGN to ensure the supply chain aligns with the programme’s objectives. Currently, the MBG programme ecosystem in Central Java involves 7,312 MSMEs, 2,407 cooperatives, 91 Red and White Village/Sub-district Cooperatives, 161 village-owned enterprises (BUMDes), 18 joint BUMDes, and 7,967 other suppliers.