POULTRYINDONESIA, Blitar – Amid the rapidly evolving dynamics of Indonesia’s poultry industry, smallholder farmers continue to face a number of long-standing challenges. Limited access to production inputs, unpredictable fluctuations in selling prices, and weak bargaining power in the market often place pressure on the sustainability of on-farm operations. These conditions highlight the importance of a collective institution that can unite, protect, and jointly advocate for farmers’ interests.
This was conveyed by Eti Marlina, Chairperson of the Bina Peternak Karya Bersama (BPKB) Cooperative. She explained that the BPKB Cooperative was established as an effort to address the various problems faced by small-scale farmers through a structured institutional approach grounded in the spirit of mutual cooperation (gotong royong). The cooperative aims to strengthen farmers’ economic capacity while encouraging the creation of a more stable and sustainable livestock business system.
“The BPKB Cooperative operates in the livestock sector, serving as a platform to strengthen farmers’ economic resilience through the principles of togetherness, professionalism, and sustainability. It was formed as a means to improve members’ welfare by prioritizing trustworthy and transparent governance. The cooperative acts as a bridge between farmers and access to production inputs, information, and partnerships with various stakeholders, both government and private. We are committed to becoming a strong, independent, and competitive economic institution,” Eti explained during her conversation with Poultry Indonesia on Friday (16/1).
In practice, the BPKB Cooperative carries out various business activities that are directly oriented toward the needs and interests of its members. Its main business areas include the procurement and distribution of livestock production inputs, such as feed. In addition, the cooperative plays a role in coordinating production and marketing of livestock products, providing business management assistance to members, and facilitating information and communication related to government policies and programs in the livestock sector.
Eti added that the BPKB Cooperative was established on December 22 with an initial membership of nine farmers. Over time, farmers’ trust has continued to grow, and membership has now reached 51 people. Nevertheless, the cooperative applies fairly strict selection criteria in accepting new members.
“We are quite selective in filtering members—only those who truly want to progress and grow together. This cooperative is also under provincial guidance, so our members are spread across Blitar, Kediri, and Tulungagung. Going forward, we hope the cooperative can continue to develop and become increasingly capable of accommodating members’ interests,” she said.
Currently, the BPKB Cooperative is managed based on principles of trustworthiness and transparency, ensuring that all activities and decisions can be accounted for to the entire membership. The cooperative’s management is committed to carrying out its vision and mission for the collective benefit. In addition, BPKB has established good communication and coordination with local governments as well as relevant ministries and agencies, which adds value in supporting program sustainability and the development of members’ livestock businesses.
“Future challenges will certainly not be easier. However, we believe that by standing united and implementing good and transparent governance, this cooperative can continue to survive and grow—provided that the government also continues to offer protection and policies that favor small and micro-scale farmers like us,” Eti concluded. PI
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