The national poultry feed industry is facing production cost challenges due to its dependence on imported raw materials. One strategic solution is to shift toward locally sourced ingredients; however, the main obstacle lies in their high crude fiber or Non-Starch Polysaccharides (NSP) content, which is difficult for poultry to digest. If not properly managed, NSP increases intestinal viscosity, creating favorable conditions for the growth of pathogenic bacteria such as Clostridium perfringens. This disrupts nutrient absorption and leads to energy wastage caused by intestinal inflammation or dysbiosis.
The key to successfully utilizing local feed ingredients lies in maintaining a balanced gut microbiome to achieve a state of eubiosis. Enzyme technology has emerged as a game changer by breaking down complex plant cell walls. NSP-degrading enzymes, such as xylanase, convert crude fiber into Xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS), which function as natural prebiotics for beneficial bacteria like Lactobacillus. These beneficial bacteria produce Short-Chain Fatty Acids (SCFA)—particularly butyric acid—which serve as an energy source for intestinal epithelial cells and promote the elongation of intestinal villi. Healthy villi increase the surface area for nutrient absorption, thereby improving Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) and overall growth performance.
In addition, the use of feed additives such as probiotics and postbiotics is crucial for maintaining microbiome stability amid fluctuations in raw material quality. Through precision nutrition and optimized gut health management, the poultry industry can achieve maximum efficiency despite global price volatility. Furthermore, the implementation of precision nutrition using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIR) technology is essential for real-time monitoring of variability in local feed ingredient quality.
In today’s era, feed formulators must shift toward the Ideal Protein concept, focusing on essential amino acids that are truly absorbable by poultry, as measured by Standardized Ileal Digestibility. Another promising breakthrough is the use of Black Soldier Fly (BSF) maggot meal as a sustainable alternative protein source with inherent antimicrobial properties.
The use of functional additives such as probiotics, postbiotics, emulsifiers, and toxin binders has become vital in maintaining microbiome stability against fluctuations in raw material quality and the risk of mycotoxin contamination in tropical climates like Indonesia. Through the synergy of enzyme technology, precision nutrition, and gut health optimization, the national poultry industry can achieve maximum efficiency and self-reliance amid global price volatility, while simultaneously fostering a more sustainable industry.
Adv
This article was published in Poultry Indonesia Magazine, January 2026 Edition.
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