Jakarta – The Free Nutritious Meals Program (MBG) is gaining broader support from economists and development observers. The program is seen not merely as a short-term social intervention, but as a major strategy to build a strong and competitive foundation of Indonesia’s human resources.
The Executive Director of the Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (Indef), Esther Sri Astuti, emphasized that MBG should be viewed as a long-term investment in human development. According to her, the program’s primary orientation is not to pursue short-term economic growth, but to prepare a healthier, better educated, and more productive generation.
“The MBG program is not designed to spur instant economic growth. Rather, it is an investment in human capital that will yield optimal results when the beneficiary generation reaches productive age,” Esther said.
This assessment is based on studies and economic model simulations conducted by Indef in collaboration with the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. Through the Overlapping Generation Indonesia Model (OG-IDN), the research measured the long-term macroeconomic impact of MBG budget allocations across various indicators.
The findings indicate that the program’s greatest benefits will be realized when children receiving MBG grow into a productive workforce with improved health and educational quality. In this way, MBG is projected to contribute to higher national productivity and strengthen Indonesia’s future economic competitiveness.
In its study, Indef stressed that the MBG budget allocation should be regarded as an investment in human capital rather than consumptive spending. Most of the budget is directed toward the education sub-function, while the remainder supports the health sub-function. The funding scheme is structured through the reallocation of state expenditures, meaning it does not increase total government spending or the state budget deficit.
This approach is considered to reflect fiscal prudence while demonstrating a strong commitment to improving human development. MBG is not merely an assistance program, but part of a broader strategy to prepare an excellent future generation.
This perspective aligns with the long-term development agenda toward Indonesia Emas 2045. In the context of the demographic bonus, the quality of human resources will determine whether Indonesia can transform its large productive-age population into tangible economic strength.
Calls to further strengthen MBG continue to grow. The program is increasingly viewed as a key pillar in building generational resilience, ensuring that Indonesian children grow up healthy, intelligent, and ready to compete. With the right investment from an early stage, Indonesia’s future is believed to rest on a strong and high-quality human foundation.
