Natuna Targeted as Poultry Centre in Border Region
Natuna Regency is being targeted as a poultry production centre in the border region through plans to develop a pullet factory initiated by the Natuna Regency Government. The project is projected not only to meet local demand but also to supply surrounding areas in the archipelagic region.
Natuna Regent Cen Sui Lan stated that the development of the pullet factory is a strategic step to strengthen food self-sufficiency whilst enhancing Natuna’s position as a productive border region.
“To date, the demand for eggs and chicken meat still depends on supply from outside the region. With our own production, we want Natuna to be not just a consumer, but also a producer,” she said on Monday (2 March).
The regional government has prepared 10 hectares of land in the Padang Angus area, Binjai, to support the poultry centre project. On this land, five poultry sheds are planned with a total capacity of 100,000 pullets or young laying hens ready for production. Additionally, cold storage facilities with a capacity of 100 tonnes and a poultry slaughterhouse will be constructed to support broiler chicken production.
According to her, the development of the poultry sector is designed as an integrated chain from upstream to downstream. Starting from breeding, rearing, egg production, to distribution will be managed systematically to ensure availability and price stability in the market.
As an archipelagic region, Natuna has long faced logistics distribution challenges that have impacted food price fluctuations, especially during bad weather that disrupts sea transport. This situation has prompted the regional government to seek long-term solutions through strengthening local production.
Project funding is planned to be sourced from Danantara through a cooperation scheme with the private sector. The government hopes this collaboration can accelerate project realisation whilst ensuring management is conducted professionally and sustainably.
Beyond meeting Natuna’s community needs, the projected poultry production is expected to supply surrounding areas, including Anambas Islands Regency. Once production capacity is optimal, Natuna is expected to become one of the poultry distribution centres in the border region of Riau Islands Province.
This programme is also seen as having broad economic impact. The emergence of the new poultry centre is estimated to open business opportunities such as feed provision, transport services, and livestock trading. On the other hand, the project has the potential to absorb local labour and increase community income.
With the strengthening of the poultry livestock sector, Natuna Regency Government is targeting the achievement of food self-sufficiency whilst improving the competitiveness of the border region as an economically productive and self-reliant area.