POULTRYINDONESIA, Blitar – High corn prices and continued pressure on egg prices remain major challenges for small-scale layer farmers. Amid these conditions, the Corn Food Supply and Price Stabilization Program (SPHP) is considered helpful in reducing feed costs. However, farmers are still hoping for smoother distribution and certainty regarding the program’s continuation.

These concerns emerged during a meeting between Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman and layer farmers at the Food SOEs Synergy Program with Small-Scale Layer Farmers through Egg Purchases and SPHP Corn Distribution, held in Slemanan Village, Udanawu District, Blitar Regency, East Java, on Thursday (November 5).

Chairwoman of the Berkah Telur Blitar Cooperative, Yesi Yuni Astuti, stated that market corn prices had continued to increase, rising from around Rp7,000/kg to Rp7,800–7,900/kg. Meanwhile, SPHP corn could be obtained through the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) at approximately Rp5,000/kg. This price difference provides considerable relief for farmers in meeting their feed ingredient requirements.

“Going forward, we hope and sincerely request that SPHP distribution becomes smoother so that we can obtain the corn and provide it to our chickens,” she said.

Similar concerns were expressed by Zainuddin, Chairman of the Anjuk Ladang Makmur Cooperative in Nganjuk Regency. The cooperative has approximately 75 members managing a total population of 250,000 chickens, with average egg production reaching 15 tons per day. According to him, high corn prices and the cost of commercial feed have placed additional financial burdens on farmers.

“At just Rp5,500 per kilogram, SPHP corn is a tremendous help to us as livestock farmers,” he said.

In addition to raw material availability, Zainuddin hopes egg prices can remain at levels that adequately reflect production costs. Rising feed prices without corresponding improvements in egg prices will further squeeze farmers’ business margins.

The hope for the continuation of the SPHP program was also expressed by Eti Marlina, Coordinator of the BKTMT Independent Layer Farmers’ Community Network, which covers Blitar, Kediri, Tulungagung, Malang, and Trenggalek. She hopes that SPHP corn distribution will not be limited to 2026 but will continue into the following year.

“We hope that SPHP corn distribution will continue in 2027 and beyond,” she said.

Eti also highlighted plans to develop partnerships between farmer cooperatives and farmer groups, as well as associations of farmer groups (gapoktan), for corn cultivation. Under this scheme, the cooperatives would purchase farmers’ harvests to meet their feed requirements. Any surplus production could then be absorbed by Bulog.

“This ecosystem is very beneficial because we need corn. If we cultivate it together, farmers will grow the corn through their gapoktan, and our cooperative will purchase the harvest. Once our cooperative’s needs have been met, the remaining production can be purchased by Bulog,” she explained.

Responding to these aspirations, Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman stated that the government was preparing to integrate corn farming and livestock businesses through cooperatives. Under the proposed scheme, the government would provide support in the form of seeds, water pumps, and agricultural machinery, depending on the availability of state budget allocations. The harvested corn would subsequently be purchased by livestock cooperatives, while surplus production could be absorbed by Bulog and stored as reserve stocks.

“Corn farmers and livestock farmers will be brought together as one unit through a cooperative. The government will provide free seeds, followed by water pumps and agricultural machinery as the national budget allows,” he said.

According to Amran, this model is expected to strengthen market certainty for farmers while ensuring corn availability for livestock producers when supplies become limited. The government has also instructed its relevant agencies to accelerate SPHP corn distribution services for farmers in need.

For livestock farmers, however, the success of the program depends not only on the availability of corn allocations but also on smooth distribution, accurate targeting, and reliable supply continuity. Corn is one of the main ingredients in feed formulations and therefore has a significant impact on egg production costs.

Amran emphasized that the government would follow up on the concerns raised by farmers and livestock producers. He said the government would not avoid public grievances, including those expressed through demonstrations.

“When farmers raise their voices, whether through demonstrations or individually, we never turn away. We always meet them. As their representatives, we have a responsibility to them in this world. We should not wait until the hereafter to be held accountable,” he stated.

For Indonesia’s poultry industry, the sustainability of the SPHP program and the proposed integration of corn farming with livestock cooperatives are important developments to monitor. Amid high feed costs and fluctuating egg prices, farmers continue to need reliable supplies of competitively priced raw materials. Ultimately, the implementation of these policies will serve as a measure of how effectively government initiatives can address the production cost challenges that have long weighed on small-scale livestock businesses.

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