POULTRYINDONESIA, Jakarta — Independent farmers joined under the Indonesian Association of Independent People’s Farmers (PERMINDO) are calling for an open dialogue with the government and other poultry stakeholders. This call follows concerns over sudden changes to the reference prices for corn and poultry products, which serve as the primary benchmarks for farmers’ production planning.

Heri Irawan, Secretary-General of PERMINDO, emphasized the importance of honoring price agreements previously discussed between associations, business actors, and the government. He cited the reference price range for Day-Old Chicks (DOC) at Rp5,500–Rp7,000 per bird and live birds at Rp23,000–Rp25,000 per kilogram, which have been the benchmarks used to maintain production cost stability and the sustainability of independent farming.

“Sudden policy changes or price adjustments made without adequate socialization have the potential to cause uncertainty and even losses throughout the poultry supply chain. Therefore, the association welcomes the idea of holding seminars or workshops involving independent farmers, associations, industry players, government, and academics. This forum is expected to map out the real conditions of the poultry industry in 2026 while formulating more realistic and applicable policy recommendations,” he stated via written message on Tuesday (Jan 6).

Regulatory Context

PERMINDO’s statement refers to regulations granting the National Food Agency (Bapanas) the authority to evaluate reference prices. Under National Food Agency Regulation No. 6 of 2024, evaluations of the Producer-Level Reference Purchase Price and Consumer-Level Reference Sales Price can be conducted at any time. If changes occur, the evaluation results must be discussed through cross-ministerial/agency coordination meetings and established through a decree by the head of the relevant agency.

Furthermore, Heri assessed that while the rules allow for adjustments, the process still requires formal coordination and clear communication with farmers and business actors to avoid “chaos” in the field.

“There is a need for data transparency and a clear transition period for every reference price change. Adjustments should be supported by data, analysis, and participatory dialogue, so that farmers, feed suppliers, and the processing industry have enough time to adjust their business strategies without being suddenly impacted,” he added.

Food Security and Future Steps

PERMINDO also reminded stakeholders that price stability is not merely a business matter but is directly related to national food security, considering that corn and poultry products are strategic components of the feed industry and public consumption.

In addition to proposing a discussion forum, PERMINDO is currently drafting a formal protest letter or official statement to the government. This step is seen as an effort to ensure that every policy change is conducted collaboratively, based on dialogue, data, and the actual needs of farmers.

Through this approach, PERMINDO hopes to bridge the gap in perception between stakeholders and maintain the business continuity of farmers and the poultry industry amidst evolving price dynamics and policies.