Central Java SPPG Required to Source Eggs and Chicken from Local Farmers

An agreement has been reached mandating that Nutrition Service Units (SPPG) in Central Java must absorb local egg and chicken meat production to support the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme.

This agreement was formalised in the “Joint Commitment for the Absorption of Eggs and Chicken Meat within the Free Nutritious Meal Programme,” signed during a follow-up coordination meeting at the Central Java Governor’s Office Complex in Semarang on Friday. The signing involved the Central Java Provincial Government, the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), poultry farmer associations, and farmer cooperatives.

“An agreement has been reached, therefore the SPPGs in Central Java must comply with this,” stated the Deputy Governor of Central Java, Taj Yasin Maimoen, during the event.

There are three main points in the joint commitment: first, the MBG menu in Central Java will include eggs and chicken meat twice a week each. Second, poultry farmer associations and cooperatives are prepared to provide supplies that meet agreed quality standards and deliver them directly to SPPG partner kitchen locations. Third, purchases will be made directly from Central Java’s local farmer associations or cooperatives at agreed prices, specifically Rp26,000 per kilogram for eggs and Rp35,000 per kg for carcass chicken (equivalent to Rp20,000 per kg live weight).

This scheme, according to the official who also serves as the Head of the Central Java MBG Task Force, is part of the restructuring of the MBG programme in Central Java to ensure it runs more effectively, particularly regarding menus and the food supply chain. “The SPPGs in Central Java must purchase those food supplies from Central Java, whether managed by cooperatives or associations,” said Gus Yasin, his common nickname.

He emphasised that price regulation is a crucial component to prevent price disparities in the field, and the government will ensure transactions proceed according to the established reference prices. “It is not just about what is supplied to the SPPG; we are also protecting the prices of eggs and chicken in Central Java. One way is by ensuring the SPPG must buy from the associations or cooperatives existing in Central Java,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Director of Community Empowerment and Participation at the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Tengku Syahdana, noted that the agreement serves as a momentum to standardise the implementation of the MBG menu across all SPPGs. The results of this commitment will be communicated to the MBG acceleration task forces in regencies/cities and all SPPGs in Central Java, with oversight implemented to ensure the agreement is upheld.

“With this joint commitment, we are informing all SPPGs and partner foundations that the menu must include eggs and chicken meat at least twice a week,” he said.

The Chairman of the Central Java Poultry Farmers Cooperative (KPUS), Suwardi, stated that the agreement represents a meeting point between the government and farmers. “If all kitchens in Central Java use eggs twice a week, it is estimated that approximately 1,050 tons will be absorbed per week,” he said.