Prices Plunge, Amran Orders MBG to Absorb Eggs from Local Poultry Farmers
Indonesia’s Ministry of Agriculture has called for MBG to absorb more eggs from farmers to curb the price drop at the farm level. The government believes boosting egg consumption via MBG can help maintain price stability while strengthening poultry farmers’ welfare in the regions.
The minister says the government has coordinated directly with the Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) Dadan Hindayana to raise egg consumption within MBG. The move comes after reports that farmers’ eggs have not been optimally absorbed in several regions, particularly East Java.
“We need to ask Mr Dadan, please; this is MBG’s function. Mr Dadan, I am calling, Professor Dadan, please raise egg consumption in MBG from one day per week to, say, two days,” the Minister said in Jakarta, on Tuesday (19/5/2026).
Amran revealed that BGN has even called for egg consumption in MBG to be raised to three days in a week. The policy is expected to raise egg demand amid price pressures faced by smallholder farmers.
He said MBG must be an off-taker for the production of farmers and breeders across regions. The government wants the food distribution chain shorter so that local production can be absorbed directly by the market.
“Three days, already asked for three days,” Amran said.
He asked his colleagues to coordinate with MBG implementers in the regions so that absorption of farmers’ eggs would be more optimal. He specifically mentioned the Nganjuk area and other districts in East Java that are said to still face issues absorbing egg production.
He said criticisms from farmers about the insufficient absorption of eggs should be a material for government evaluation. He said he was open to constructive feedback to strengthen national food security.
“Please, Deputy, mention Nganjuk; not only Nganjuk, East Java,” Amran said.
He explained that the government is building an integrated food ecosystem through village cooperatives and MBG. Cooperatives are said to cut the distribution chain from eight supply channels to three channels so that prices at the farmer and breeder level are more advantageous.
According to Amran, MBG will later act as a market for absorbing the output of farmers and national breeders. The scheme is prepared to support food production while increasing people’s purchasing power.
“Cooperatives supply to MBG. MBG should not be seen as standing alone; this is the off-taker for 160 million farmers,” said the figure who is also Head of the National Food Agency.
The government believes strengthening the absorption of breeders’ output through MBG is an important part of maintaining national food stability. The move is also expected to shield smallholders from price volatility and overly long distribution chains.