Improvement Of Corn Commerce Administration Is Important To Lower The Price Of Eggies

Member of Commission VI DPR RI Amin Ak (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The improvement in the trading system of corn commodities, which is the main ingredient in making feed for laying hens, is considered one of the important elements to control feed prices so that they can lower egg prices in the future.

"Tata trading feed such as corn must also be addressed so that the marketing chain is shorter so that the price is cheaper," said Member of Commission VI DPR RI Amin Ak as quoted by Antara, Sunday.

According to him, the current push to promote the soaring egg price control policy is a momentum in order to fix feed and egg trading.

He stated that one of the other causes of the increase in egg prices was due to an increase in feed prices by an increase of up to 30 percent from before. This is due to an increase in corn prices where corn imports are still considered quite large.

The impact of the increase in egg prices, he continued, will increase inflation and reduce people's purchasing power due to the eroded value of money.

"The distribution is not only a basic need, but also important raw materials in the efforts of various food products whose perpetrators are mostly micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs)," said the PKS faction politician.

Based on data from the national strategic food price information center (IPHPS), the price of eggs can currently reach Rp. 31,500 per kg. Meanwhile, in a number of traditional markets in Jabodetabek, it can range from Rp. 32,000 to Rp. 33,000 per kg.

According to Amin, the solution, among others, must be improved by trading, for example by shortening the marketing chain of eggs, as well as providing incentives for small and medium farming businesses which were hit by a pandemic last year so that they can rise and start their business again, for example by boosting people's business loans (KUR) for livestock.

As reported, the National Food Agency said the current increase in egg prices was due to the search for a balance (equilibrium) as a result of an increase in several cost variables.

"For example, feed because some are still imported, so when there is a turmoil in the price currency, it also increases," said Head of the National Food Agency Arief Prasetyo Adi when giving directions at the Provincial Leadership Meeting III/2022 Kadin DKI Jakarta in Jakarta, Saturday (27/8).

Arief said that not only that, there are many variables that make the price of eggs increase, one of which also makes a big contribution, including transportation costs, especially since eggs are not long-lasting commodities.

He said what is certain is that the price of eggs is impossible to return to a price of Rp. 19,000 to Rp. 20,000 per kilogram because it will kill farmers. "If the price becomes Rp. 19,000 to Rp. 20,000 per kilogram, the farmers will collapse and they will lose to become farmers," said Arief.

Previously, related to corn, the government encouraged the extensification of corn production with 86 thousand hectares of new land according to President Joko Widodo's direction in a limited cabinet meeting regarding the increase in corn production at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, Monday, August 1.

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto in a press statement after the meeting said that the land was covered by a total area of 141,000 corn growing land throughout Indonesia.

"In accordance with the direction of the President, the national corn production in the requested regions will increase, namely Papua, West Papua, NTT, Maluku, North Maluku, and North Kalimantan, with a total area of 141,000 hectares, 86 thousand of which are new land," said Airlangga Hartarto.