BLITAR – Blitar lawmakers have issued a warning to a poultry farm company after residents continued complaining about strong waste odors from a chicken farm in Gandusari District.
Commission III of the Blitar Regional Legislative Council held another public hearing on Monday to discuss complaints linked to CV Bumi Indah, a poultry farm operating in Ngaringan Village. The meeting marked the third hearing over the issue within the past year.
Aryo Nugroho said residents still reported strong smells coming from the company’s waste processing system.
“During this hearing, the council asked CV Bumi Indah to immediately carry out concrete improvements to its waste management system,” Aryo said.
According to him, the company remains the only poultry farm in the area that already uses a modern waste treatment facility. Inside the farm complex, workers process chicken manure through equipment that can release steam and unpleasant odors.
Despite those facilities, nearby residents said the smell still spreads across surrounding neighborhoods at certain times of the day.
Local residents demanded a clear deadline for improvements. During the hearing, community representatives asked the company to resolve the odor problem within two weeks to one month.
“Residents are tired of the smell caused by the chicken waste processing. They want this issue resolved as soon as possible,” Aryo explained.
Although tensions remain high, the council described the company as cooperative during the dispute resolution process. Representatives from CV Bumi Indah attended every hearing and continued communicating with residents and local officials.
Still, lawmakers stressed that complete business permits do not justify ignoring complaints from nearby communities.
“If waste residue still disturbs residents, then authorities cannot tolerate it,” Aryo said.
The council also instructed several regional agencies to tighten supervision over the company’s operations. Those agencies include the Environmental Agency, Public Order Agency, Investment and Licensing Office, and Public Works Office.
Aryo said the controversy developed gradually over time. Earlier hearings mainly focused on incomplete permits and administrative requirements. After the company completed those documents, residents shifted attention toward the continuing odor problem.
The company previously imported additional waste treatment equipment from overseas. Officials have already installed the machinery, but residents say the smell still appears under certain conditions.
Laboratory tests reportedly showed acceptable environmental results. However, lawmakers noted that field conditions still differ from the test findings because residents continue experiencing unpleasant odors.
Despite growing public pressure, the council has not discussed shutting down the farm. Officials said any enforcement action must follow legal and administrative procedures.
“If laboratory tests happen when no odor appears, the company may pass the test. But residents still feel the impact,” Aryo said.
He added that the government wants to protect investment while also ensuring local residents do not suffer environmental harm.
“We do not want to judge business operators unfairly. The government wants investment to continue, but residents also deserve protection,” he concluded.