Breeders In Blitar Complain That Chicken Egg Prices Drop, KSP Moeldoko Promises To Find Solutions With The Minister Of Agriculture
JAKARTA - Presidential Chief of Staff (KSP) Moeldoko has received complaints from laying hens in Blitar, East Java, regarding the drop in egg prices of up to Rp 12,500 per kilogram.
"KSP wants to hear the voices of the farmers here. Because this issue has become the special attention of the President," said Moeldoko during a working visit in Blitar, East Java, as written by KSP received in Jakarta, Antara, Friday, November 11.
Several breeders met by Moeldoko, admitted that the fall in egg prices of up to Rp. 12,500 per kilogram occurred during the Implementation of Emergency Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) in July 2021.
"The absorption of eggs to the market is small because community activities are limited. Meanwhile, egg production is the same and does not decrease. Breeders are increasingly losing when the price of feed rises," said Moeldoko.
In addition, said Moeldoko, small and medium farmers now also have to compete with large companies that participate in raising chickens in their environment.
"We will explore this issue. I will discuss with the Minister of Agriculture (Syahrul Yasin Limpo), how to maintain business continuity, small people's farmers with big businessmen beside them. This must be regulated," said Moeldoko.
Moeldoko who is also the General Chair of the Indonesian Farmers Harmony Association (HKTI) also promised to immediately coordinate with relevant ministries to determine solutions to problems faced by laying hens.
"Coming home from here (Blitar) I will immediately coordinate with the Minister of Agriculture. So that young people who have the desire to build a business in this sector do not collapse," said Moeldoko.
Blitar Regency is one of the largest chicken egg producing areas in Indonesia. Eggs produced from Blitar, in addition to meeting local needs in the district, are also sent to various regions in Indonesia, including DKI Jakarta.
One of the laying hens that Moeldoko met, Siti Qomariah, said that she had to sell tens of thousands of her laying hens and also lay off employees at the farm due to falling egg prices.
"Before the pandemic there were 24 thousand, sir, now there are only 5 thousand. I sell it to buy feed. Previously there were 11 employees now there are none at all, because they can't afford to pay salaries. Egg prices keep dropping but feed prices go up. Please Mr. Moel, the state is here for us," said Siti Qomariah.