Pati Regent: Local Farmers' Eggs Prioritised for Free Nutritious Meal Programme

Acting Regent of Pati Risma Ardhi Chandra has affirmed that the egg supply for the Nutritional Service Fulfilment Units (SPPG) implementing the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme in the region must prioritise eggs from local farmers. “Starting next week, if any SPPG does not source eggs from local farmers, it can be reported to the Pati Regency Government for follow-up,” he stated during a follow-up meeting to a peaceful protest by the Poultry Farmers Association at the Pati Regency Pendopo on Tuesday. The price of eggs has also been agreed at Rp26,000 per kilogram and will take effect next week. The agreement follows discussions between the Central Java Provincial Government and related parties, instructing each regency and city to prioritise the absorption of eggs from local farmers. Risma revealed that the Pati Regency Government will oversee the implementation of the agreement. The SPPG coordinator for the Pati region will also communicate with the Poultry Farmers Association to ensure distribution and cooperation proceed according to the agreement. “The results of this meeting are an important step to align the perceptions of all parties,” he said. All SPPG heads in each sub-district will subsequently be directed to have a common understanding regarding the procurement of eggs and chickens from the Pati Regency Poultry Farmers Association. This scheme is part of the follow-up to the aspirations conveyed by farmers the previous day. Meanwhile, Deputy Chairman of the Pati Regency Poultry Farmers Association Ali Gufron appreciated the Pati Regency Government’s move to bring together farmers and SPPG officials. According to Ali, the facilitation opened a channel of communication to ensure that local farmers’ produce is better absorbed. “We appreciate the swift action of the Pati Regency Government in bridging communication between farmers and the SPPG,” said Ali. The meeting was a follow-up to a protest by poultry farmers in front of the Pati Regent’s Office on Monday, which addressed the issue of plummeting egg prices amidst rising feed costs. During the protest, Chandra met directly with the demonstrators and stated he would summon the SPPG kitchen heads in the Pati region. Today’s meeting at the Pati Regency Pendopo brought together the SPPG and the Pati Regency Poultry Farmers Association, with the agreement on local egg absorption being one of the main outcomes.