Challenges and Constraints to the Sustainability of Poultry Farming in Indonesia.

Abstract

Although the demand for poultry products in Indonesia, one of the most significant poultry-producing countries in Southeast Asia, continues to increase, the poultry farming sector continues to face various challenges. This paper provides an overview of the prospects for and challenges faced by the poultry farming sector in Indonesia. Broilers comprise the largest portion of Indonesia's poultry population, with other commodities contributing less than 10% of the total. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the consumption of chicken meat and eggs increased. The declining national economy led people to consume affordable food for their daily meals, favoring chicken and eggs because their retail prices were four times cheaper than that of beef. In terms of imports to Indonesia, compared with other agricultural commodities, poultry and eggs account for only approximately 1.26% and 0.41%, respectively. Meanwhile, some feed ingredients, such as soybean meal and corn, continue to be imported into Indonesia. According to data from the United States Department of Agriculture, Indonesia imported 4.4 million tons of soybean meal to meet the needs of its poultry industry. In recent years, feed mill companies have rapidly been developing in Indonesia, with an estimated average production of 572,000 metric tons. In terms of scale, poultry farming in Indonesia comprises 60% large-scale farming and 40% small- and medium-scale farming. Many small-scale farms have yet to implement strict biosecurity measures, making climate change a significant challenge for poultry farming in Indonesia. After implementing the ban on antibiotic growth promoters, Indonesia's poultry farming sector began to stabilize and look for alternative methods to maintain productivity. The use of technology, improved regulations, and the enhancement of farmers' capacity to manage challenges are key toward sustaining and increasing poultry farming productivity in Indonesia in the future.