Faculty of Animal Sciences UGM hosted National Meeting between government, breeders, and association of breeders of layer chickens on Thursday (23/2) at Faculty of Animal Sciences UGM. Dean of Faculty of Animal Sciences UGM, Prof. Dr. Ir. Ali Agus, DAA, DEA., said this event was run to respond to the depression that has been experienced by layer chickens farming for about two years.
“We’re trying to do mediation between related groups because the condition of layer chicken farming has not been conducive for two years. Together we have to think about the solution that is ideal for us all,” he said on the sidelines of the National Meeting.
Ali Agus who became the event moderator said he often heard complaints from breeders related to the high cost of feed and Day Old Chicks (DOC) while the price of eggs is low. The price of full feed for layers ranges between Rp4,800-5,000/ kg and DOC Rp4,750, while the sale price of eggs is Rp14,700, even Rp13,500/kg. This is much lower than the Break Even Point (BEP) that stays at Rp16,000.
The high cost of feed, said Ali, was triggered by the price of corn as one of feed components for layers due to the corn import limit that was set by the Agricultural Ministry. By the end of 2015, the corn price reached up to Rp7,000/kg, but currently it stays at Rp3,600-3,800/kg.
“One of the challenges facing breeders is the corn raw component. The government said we have done corn self-production, so, imports are terminated. But the real condition is not like that and the price of corn has soared instead,” he said.
He said further that the current condition has sparked suspicions among the breeders that there has been a trick being played by big feeds business, or integrators, on the price. Feeds and DOCs circulating among breeders are mainly produced by big companies, such as Charoen Pokphand, Japfa Comfeed, Wonokoyo, and Malindo.
Criticisms were also raised by the breeders on the government policy. They raised the complaints to the Director of Farming and Breeding of Director General for Animal Husbandry and Health, Dr. Ir Surahman Suwandi, MP., and related officials. The breeders complained on the lack of measures from the government to resolve the existing problems.
“We would like to ask the government to control and regulate the matter well. If this condition persists, in the future it will be more difficult for the breeders,” said Mujali, one of the layer chicken breeders from Blitar, East Java.
On this condition, Ali Agus commented that the government had not taken real action related to regulations, so trust to the government was also decreasing. That was why, said Ali, Faculty of Animal Sciences UGM as the one in a neutral position had the initiative to bring together the various elements in order to sustain the future of people based layer chicken farming. This is in line with the mandate for the founding of UGM to give benefits to humanity and be responsible for welfare.
“Hopefully, a compromise can be found that can minimise the tensions between the breeders and integrator companies and strengthen the people’s trus to government, with the emergence of commitment for a win-win solution,” he said.