Poultry farmers urge increased egg absorption for free nutritious meal programme

Poultry farmers grouped under the Prosperous Poultry Farmers Cooperative (KPUS) are hoping that egg absorption for the free nutritious meal (MBG) programme will continue to increase.

KPUS General Chairman Suwardi said in Semarang, Central Java, on Wednesday that egg production in the province is currently in surplus, at roughly 2,300 tonnes per day, whereas daily demand reaches a maximum of 1,600 tonnes. He added that maximum demand only occurs when public purchasing power is strong.

The remarks were made during an audience with Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi to convey concerns over plummeting egg selling prices, oversupply, and weak market absorption.

He noted that farmgate egg prices are currently averaging Rp21,000 per kilogramme, far below the chicken egg purchasing reference price of Rp26,500 per kg. He acknowledged that this is squeezing farmers’ profit margins.

“The situation today is that the cost of primary production is rising, yet egg prices are also falling,” he said.

He therefore expressed hope that the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) can absorb more eggs for the MBG programme, and asked the Central Java Governor to coordinate with nutrition fulfilment service units.

Before meeting the Central Java Governor, KPUS had also met with the Minister of Agriculture to raise the same issue. The Ministry of Agriculture has subsequently coordinated with BGN regarding the farmers’ input.

Responding to the problems faced by poultry farmers, Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi immediately instructed the provincial MBG Task Force to coordinate with regencies and municipalities.

He also requested the Food Security Agency together with the Cooperatives and SMEs Agency to prepare steps to tackle the egg price slump and surplus, including the availability of animal feed supply.

“Coordinate immediately on Friday. Our MBG programme must be able to absorb labour, essential staples, and remain well-targeted. This also relates to inflation,” he said.

Luthfi also touched on the egg price issue during a Regional Inflation Control Team coordination meeting and business gathering held at the Gradhika Bhakti Praja building in Semarang. He said the egg surplus has affected low farmgate purchase prices, making government and stakeholder intervention necessary so that egg prices do not fall below the purchasing reference price.

“Our eggs must be enjoyed by the public, the farmers must also make a profit, and this can make our people more prosperous,” he said.