Government Backs Cage-Free Egg Production to Improve Hen Welfare
YOGYAKARTA — The government is encouraging the development and use of cage-free eggs as part of its efforts to promote animal welfare, particularly for chickens. Cage-free eggs come from hens kept without battery cages, allowing them to move around without being confined in such enclosures.
Boethdy Angkasa, a veterinarian and deputy director for livestock standards and quality at the Directorate of Livestock Breeding and Production, Directorate General of Livestock and Animal Health, said current challenges in food production extend beyond product availability. They also include improving quality, ensuring business sustainability, promoting animal welfare and enabling supply chains to meet market needs.
“The government is ready to act as a facilitator, connector and collaborator, at both national and regional levels,” Boethdy said in remarks at the Corporate Roundtable Discussion, themed ‘Beyond Commitment: Corporate Insights and Responsible Sourcing’. The forum was organised by Animal Friends Jogja (AFJ) at Novotel Yogyakarta on Thursday, 22 October 2026.
The forum also brought together companies that have incorporated cage-free eggs into their supply chains, including Dough Lab and Cokelat Monggo, to share their experiences.
Boethdy added that developing cage-free egg production requires production readiness, investment, continuity of supply and market certainty. Companies’ commitments to responsible sourcing therefore need to be put into practice through effective partnerships, supply planning and open communication with producers.
“We hope to encourage synergy among companies, farmers, businesses, associations and other stakeholders, so that market demand can be matched with producers’ capacity,” he said.
AFJ co-founder Elly Mangunsong said the forum brought together companies that have adopted cage-free systems and those still in discussions or facing obstacles in making the transition.
“Through this forum, we hope companies that have already adopted cage-free practices can share good practice and inspire others that remain hesitant or are experiencing difficulties, so the transition can proceed more smoothly and easily,” Elly said.
AFJ also emphasised the importance of public education about the welfare of laying hens. In battery-cage systems, hens have limited opportunities to express their natural behaviours. The development of cage-free systems is expected to give them a better chance to do so and improve their quality of life.
The forum was intended to give the government an opportunity to explain the support it can provide to improve the welfare of laying hens, while helping businesses understand practical challenges and identify opportunities to collaborate on strengthening the cage-free egg supply chain.