MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM – North Sumatra Governor Bobby Nasution officially opened the bird singing competition celebrating the 4th Anniversary of Sedulur Kicau Mania Nusantara (SKMN) at Katamso Land on Brigjen Katamso Street, Medan, on Sunday, May 17, 2026.
During the event, Bobby Nasution reaffirmed the North Sumatra Provincial Government's full support for the development of the Kicau Mania community and the hosting of national bird singing competitions in the province.
"The provincial government highly appreciates events like this. It would be a mistake if we failed to support activities such as these in the future," Bobby Nasution said.
Read Also: North Sumatra Launches Sumut Corporate University to Strengthen ASN Competency BOOSTING THE LOCAL ECONOMY: Governor Bobby Nasution emphasizes that the Kicau Mania community contributes to the local economy through bird breeding, feed production, cage manufacturing, and related MSMEs. (PHOTO: Fahmi Aulia)
North Sumatra Ready to Host National Competitions
According to the governor, North Sumatra has extensive experience in organizing national and international sporting events. He expressed hope that the province could eventually host a permanent national bird singing tournament or establish a prestigious annual trophy as part of the region's cultural legacy.
Read Also: Australian Ambassador Strengthens Women’s Protection Efforts in North Sumatra Visit "We are waiting for the right momentum. We hope major national events can be held in North Sumatra, and the provincial government is fully committed to supporting them," he stated.
Bobby Nasution also highlighted that the Kicau Mania community is not merely a platform for hobbies and creativity, but also a sector with significant economic impact. The ecosystem surrounding bird breeding and bird singing competitions has created business opportunities for many small enterprises.
"The economic impact is tremendous. Not only participants benefit, but also breeders, bird feed MSMEs, cage makers, and many other related sectors. Amid challenging global economic conditions, this hobby has helped stimulate the local economy," he explained.
DRIVING THE GRASSROOTS ECONOMY: Hidayat Batubara says the Kicau Mania community has continued to grow since the Covid-19 pandemic and now plays an important role in supporting the local economy. (PHOTO: Fahmi Aulia)
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Beyond supporting national-scale events, Bobby Nasution encouraged the Kicau Mania community to maximize opportunities within the creative and digital economy sectors. He suggested producing songs, documentaries, or inspirational films about Murai Batu bird breeding and success stories from national competitions.
According to him, such initiatives could broaden the potential of the creative economy while introducing the Kicau Mania culture to wider audiences.
Read Also: North Sumatra Honors BKKBN Synergy as Fatmawati Concludes Tenure Meanwhile, SKMN advisor Hidayat Batubara explained that the organization emerged during the Covid-19 pandemic, when bird keeping became an alternative source of income while many other sectors struggled.
"During the Covid-19 pandemic, the economy slowed down, but this hobby supported cricket breeders, bird feed sellers, cage manufacturers, and bird bath producers. Alhamdulillah, the grassroots economy has continued to grow, especially through the expansion of Murai Batu breeding across North Sumatra and the archipelago," he said.
SKMN Plans Larger National Agenda
Hidayat Batubara welcomed the provincial government's support for the Kicau Mania community and confirmed that SKMN is preparing larger national-scale programs by the end of the year.
Read Also: North Sumatra Speeds Up Expansion of Inpatient Puskesmas in Remote Areas "We may be a small community, but we are ready to keep growing. God willing, by the end of the year we will organize two major programs, including SKMN's national anniversary event," he stated. (IDNC)
REPORTER: Darmailawati | EDITOR: Fik Sagala
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