Indonesian researchers have developed an innovative poultry feed made from a mix of sago and cassava, which has proven to be as effective as conventional corn. Termed a “corn analogue,” this new feed promises to reduce costs for farmers and potentially stabilise chicken prices across the country, addressing one of the major challenges facing the nation’s poultry sector.
Laboratory trials conducted on native chickens have shown that birds fed with the sago-cassava blend perform just as well as those on traditional corn-based diets. The feed offers similar nutritional value while being more cost-effective, providing tangible economic relief to local poultry farmers. “Cheaper feed costs will reduce chicken production prices, so consumers can also benefit from more affordable meat,” said Dr. Heri Ahmad Sukria, project head and lecturer at the Faculty of Animal Science at IPB University.
Indonesia remains heavily dependent on corn, which accounts for about 50% of poultry feed. Domestic production is insufficient to meet national demand, and the country currently faces restrictions on corn imports. As a result, corn prices continue to rise, reaching up to Rp 7,000 (USD 0.43) per kilogram in some remote areas, significantly increasing the cost of poultry feed and, consequently, chicken prices. Dr. Heri noted that sago has strong potential as an alternative energy source for poultry feed, helping to reduce reliance on imported corn.
The country has approximately 5 million hectares of sago plantations in Papua, offering a locally available and sustainable feed source. Researchers emphasize that environmental considerations must be maintained while harvesting sago to ensure ecological balance. In addition, new high-yield cassava varieties developed by IPB University can produce at least 40 tons per hectare, meeting the productivity requirements for economical poultry feed production.
The project has received support from the Indonesian government through the Community Empowerment Program under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, enabling wider promotion of the feed among farmers. With increased production and adoption, the corn analogue is expected to become a viable solution for small-scale poultry operations, helping farmers reduce costs while maintaining animal performance and production quality.
Unlike countries such as the United States and Europe, which utilise diverse feed energy sources, Indonesia has largely relied on corn. By integrating locally abundant sago and cassava into poultry diets, the new feed not only addresses the rising costs of corn but also encourages the sustainable use of domestic agricultural resources.
In conclusion, the development of the sago and cassava-based corn analogue represents a promising step for Indonesia’s poultry industry. It provides a sustainable, cost-effective alternative to corn, supporting both farmers and consumers while showcasing the potential of local crops as innovative solutions for agricultural challenges.
