JAKARTA – The government has begun accelerating the national protein self-sufficiency program by developing integrated chicken downstreaming in several regions. This program is designed as a strategic effort to strengthen food security, increase the added value of the poultry sector, and maintain a stable supply of chicken meat and eggs for the public.
The Director General of Animal Husbandry and Animal Health at the Ministry of Agriculture, Agung Suganda, stated that the government has initiated integrated chicken downstreaming in six regions as the initial step in developing a national poultry ecosystem from upstream to downstream.
“The government is strengthening the foundation of national protein self-sufficiency by developing integrated chicken downstreaming from upstream to downstream in six regions,” said Agung.
Groundbreaking for the first phase of integrated chicken downstreaming has taken place in six locations, with the center of activity in Malang, East Java. The six locations are Malang (East Java), Bone (South Sulawesi), North Gorontalo (Gorontalo), Paser (East Kalimantan), Sumbawa (West Nusa Tenggara), and South Lampung (Lampung). This initial phase is part of a national development plan spanning 30 locations.
According to Agung, the program, initiated by Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman, is a proactive measure by the government to ensure the availability of safe, sustainable, equitable, and beneficial chicken meat and eggs for smallholder farmers. National demand for animal protein is expected to increase with the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG), which is projected to require approximately 1.1 million tons of chicken meat and 774,000 tons of eggs per year.
He emphasized that downstreaming chicken production is not merely about increasing production, but also about building an integrated ecosystem that includes strengthening breeding from grandparent stock to final stock, developing feed based on domestic raw materials, improving animal health, establishing poultry slaughterhouses and cold chains, and ultimately, processing, logistics, and marketing.
“This integrated downstreaming of chicken production ensures sustainable, equitable, and beneficial protein self-sufficiency for smallholder farmers,” he said.
In terms of financing, the government has prepared investment support of approximately IDR 20 trillion through Danantara. In addition, access to People’s Business Credit (KUR) of up to IDR 50 trillion is being provided for livestock farmers and cooperatives, including through the Merah Putih Village/Sub-district Cooperative scheme.
Support for this program also comes from state-owned enterprises. Ugun Untaryo, Director of Strategy & Sustainability at PTPN IV PalmCo, stated that his company is preparing livestock land in Paser Regency, East Kalimantan, to support integrated chicken downstreaming and strengthen the implementation of MBG.
“PTPN IV PalmCo plays a vital role in the groundbreaking of the integrated chicken downstreaming project in Paser by providing strategic land assets ready to be converted into modern livestock areas,” said Ugun.
