Magetan, East Java (ANTARA) – Indonesia’s National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has instructed its local nutrition fullfilment service units (SPPGs) to buy chicken eggs directly from farmers, leveraging the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program to stabilize market prices.“I hereby instruct all SPPGs, particularly those in Magetan, to purchase chicken eggs directly from farmers. Failure to comply will lead to operational suspension,” BGN Deputy Head for Public Communication and Investigation Nanik Sudaryati Deyang said in Magetan District, East Java, on Monday.At an event promoting collaboration between animal farmers and businesses for the free meals program, she explained that the directive is aimed at boosting farmer-level prices for broiler chicken eggs, which have plummeted in Magetan.“Today, we are witnessing how rising market prices are not followed by the value at animal farms, leaving farmers at a loss,” Deyang noted.The latest data shows egg prices at the farm level in Magetan stand at Rp22,000 (around US$1.20) per kilogram, while market levels hover between Rp25,000 and Rp27,000. Farmers, however, require a minimum of Rp24,000 per kilogram to break even.Bearing that in mind, BGN mandated SPPGs to procure chickens for MBG menus solely from farmers rather than suppliers to offset recent price drops.Deyang set a two-week deadline for SPPG leaders to begin transitioning to farmers for chicken eggs to help stabilize prices.During her visit to Magetan, the BGN deputy head also witnessed the signing of cooperation between SPPGs and micro, small, and medium enterprises; reviewed vegetable prices at Plaosan Market; and greeted chicken egg farmers.Magetan District Head Nanik Endang and local officials accompanied her during the activities.Since its launch in January 2025, the MBG program has served more than 62 million people, including schoolchildren, infants, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers nationwide, the Government Communications Agency Bakom stated on May 24.Over 29,000 SPPGs have been established across the country, creating jobs for roughly 1.29 million workers involved in food preparation and distribution.