JAKARTA – Eggs are one of the food commodities that are easy to find in Indonesia.
Although not all over Indonesia, making eggs as an affordable source of animal protein intake seems to have become the main choice in these difficult times.
According to Sight and Life research in 2021, Indonesia is one of the most rapidly growing economies in the world; it has a healthy 5 percent GDP growth rate and a population of 261 million.
Despite economic progress, however, malnutrition is a grave concern–87 million Indonesians suffer from food insecurity, 15 million women are anemic and one child in three is stunted.
A wide body of evidence suggests eggs are one of the highest nutritionally dense foods, and recent breakthrough research studies have shown that consuming an egg a day has the potential to significantly improve growth and reduce stunting.
“Consuming an egg a day has the potential to significantly improve growth and reduce stunting,” it says.
Family Eating Habits
Still from the same research (in Central Sulawesi), most people usually choose chicken or fish rather than eggs if they have money.
Throughout the interviews, an unofficial food hierarchy emerged, showing that people place a lower value on eggs than on other animal-source foods, with eggs being placed at almost the same level as plant-based protein such as tofu and tempeh.
This value perception was echoed by most health professionals.
They believe that chicken and fish are more nutritious than eggs and tend to recommend eggs as a source of protein when they feel that people cannot afford other animal-source foods, but rarely as their first choice.
How To Fix It?
The National Food Agency is now intensifying a campaign to eat at least an egg a day as an effort to fulfill child nutrition and prevent stunting in Blitar Regency, East Java.
The head of the agency, Prasetyo Hadi, in recent talks with The Editor said that this campaign is purposely done in Blitar as the region is one of the egg producer areas in Indonesia.
“We commemorate World Egg Day with layer chicken breeders in Blitar, because this area contributes 30 percent of egg producers in Indonesia, so this is the right place to deliver an egg-eating campaign, at least one egg a day,” he said.
Encouraging Layer Farming in Eastern Indonesia
Arief also said that his party supports the growth of the chicken farming business in Eastern Indonesia, such as in Papua.
This is because, so far, the East region has been one of the regions where the price movement of eggs per egg and per kilogram is still very high.
“We hope that chicken farm entrepreneurs will open their businesses there,” said Arief.
If chicken breeders have the wills, Arief believes, that the poor nutrition that looms over Eastern Indonesia can be easily overcome.
Because, once again, eggs are one of the cheapest and perfect sources of animal protein nutrition.
What are the Nutritional Content in Eggs?
According to the International Egg Commission, eggs are said to be one of the most nutritious foods on the planet.
One large egg provides 13 essential vitamins and minerals and 6g of protein, making this perfect package a healthy and affordable addition to the diets of people of all ages.
Many of the nutrients found in eggs are commonly under-consumed yet are required as part of a healthy diet to help you perform at your best and avoid serious health issues.
Key nutrients include choline, supporting brain development and function; vitamin A for eye health, healthy skin and immune function; and vitamin D, which plays an essential role in bone health.
Eggs are also packed with high-quality protein, essential for the strength and repair of muscle and tissue.
Along with their nutritional value, eggs are the most environmentally sustainable and affordable animal-source protein available, helping support families around the world as well as the planet itself.
