Commission IV Proposes Establishing a State-Owned Enterprise Dedicated to Fish and Livestock Feed, with Factories Beyond Java

PARLIAMENTARY, Banjar – Siti Hediati Soeharto, chair of Commission IV of the Indonesian House of Representatives, has urged the government to quickly establish a state-owned enterprise (SOE) dedicated to feed. Commission IV will also propose government subsidies for feed for livestock farmers and fish farmers, similar to fertilizer subsidies.

“So, we are asking for a dedicated feed SOE, like Bulog. Bulog handles rice and food; what we are proposing would specifically handle feed,” Siti Hediati told Parlementaria after Commission IV’s specific working visit to the Freshwater Aquaculture Center (BPBAT) in Mandiangin, Banjar Regency, South Kalimantan, on Friday (Nov. 13, 2026).

She said Commission IV regularly receives complaints about feed from both livestock farmers and fish farmers. “So, feed is an issue that we need to address as soon as possible,” she stressed.

Siti Hediati also hopes feed production will not be concentrated on Java. “If possible, feed factories should not be located only on Java, but also in Sumatra, Kalimantan and eastern Indonesia, to supply feed for livestock and fish,” said the Gerindra Party faction politician.

She hopes the feed SOE can be established soon. She said President Prabowo has coordinated with several ministries and institutions, including the Coordinating Ministry for Food Affairs, the National Food Agency and Danantara, to quickly set up the dedicated SOE for livestock and fish feed.

In addition to establishing an SOE, Commission IV will push for feed subsidies. “We will also propose this, because it is needed: the government could subsidize feed. Just as fertilizer is subsidized, feed should be subsidized too, so we can achieve food self-sufficiency more quickly,” she said.

The proposal is in line with concerns raised during a discussion attended by Banjar Deputy Regent Said Idrus Al Habsyi, Director General of Aquaculture at the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) Tb. Haeru Rahayu, as well as fish farmers and fisheries extension workers. A representative of the extension workers said that feed accounts for nearly 85 percent of fish farmers’ production costs. Feed prices have risen four times this year, while fish sale prices have not increased.

At the same meeting, Commission IV member I Ketut Suwendra proposed that the government start considering subsidized feed. He said aquaculture support equipment would not last without feed assistance.

“When we help farmers with biofloc systems and other things, their operations last only one cycle, while the free feed from our assistance is still available. After that, they stop because they have to buy feed themselves and end up losing money,” Ketut explained.

Meanwhile, the woman often known as Titiek Soeharto praised BPBAT Mandiangin’s achievements in breeding local fish. “It turns out this center has actually been able to breed snakehead and belida fish for a long time,” she added.

She said BPBAT Mandiangin should be supported by similar technical implementation units (UPTs) in other provinces. “This is the only center in Kalimantan, so it supplies the whole island. We are asking the Ministry to establish more UPTs in other provinces for fisheries,” she continued.

During the discussion, Tb. Haeru Rahayu said the Directorate General of Aquaculture currently has UPTs at just 15 locations across Indonesia, and the KKP is proposing to establish six more.

Siti Hediati stressed that Commission IV of the Indonesian House of Representatives would continue to support the development of productive, sustainable and competitive aquaculture that can improve public welfare. Commission IV will also continue to press for the sector to receive special attention in terms of regulation, budgets, institutions, community empowerment and partnerships with fisheries businesses. (arl/rdn)