South Manokwari — The expansion of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program in South Manokwari Regency, West Papua, has begun to show positive impacts not only on improving community nutrition, but also in driving regional economic growth. The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has inaugurated two Healthy Kitchens or Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG) in Ransiki and Oransbari Districts which now serve up to 7,000 beneficiaries from various groups, from PAUD students to mothers in labor and toddlers.
BGN Nutrition Promotion and Education Coordinator, Mohamad Fadil Alchoiri, explained that this kitchen does not only supply nutritious food, but also drives the local economy through the use of local raw materials and recruitment of workers from local residents.
“These two kitchens are not only places to cook, but also become drivers of the circular economy in the region. We ensure that the raw materials used come from local farming and livestock products,” said Fadil when confirmed in Manokwari.
He added that this program strengthens the national strategy in reducing stunting rates which have been successfully suppressed to around 20 percent, with an ambitious target of below 15 percent.
For this reason, PGN (National Nutrition Program) also encourages the role of cooperatives in the distribution of raw materials and active involvement of the community in implementing the program.
A strong commitment also came from Member of Commission IX of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Obet A. Rumbruren, who fully supports the implementation of the MBG program in the West Papua region. In a socialization activity in Ransiki District on June 4, 2025, Obet emphasized the importance of the existence of a healthy kitchen as a real solution to fulfilling community nutrition evenly.
“This program is crucial because it provides ready-to-eat food directly to schools and distribution points, so that the community is not burdened,” said Obet.
Furthermore, he emphasized the importance of the sustainability of this program.
“We ensure that the MBG budget continues to circulate in the community. The hope is that every district in South Manokwari has one healthy kitchen so that its implementation is more effective and reaches more beneficiaries,” he added.
With synergy between the central government, the Indonesian House of Representatives, and local communities, the MBG program in South Manokwari not only answers the nutritional needs of the community, but also opens up new opportunities for regional economic development. This step is considered in line with the grand vision of Indonesia Emas 2045, which places healthy and productive human resources as the foundation of national development.
