Jakarta—The Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program, a priority program of President Prabowo Subianto’s administration, continues to receive support from various segments of society. Several residents and community groups have reported experiencing tangible benefits from the program, both in improving children’s nutritional quality and in stimulating economic growth at the village level.
Don Muzakir, Chairman of the Indonesian Independent Farmers’ Council (DPN Tani Merdeka Indonesia), stated that public support for the MBG stems from directly experiencing the positive impacts of various government policies related to the food and agriculture sector. He noted that the protesters who voiced their support for government programs were moved by their real-world experiences.
“Our friends were moved to voice their feelings today about Mr. Prabowo’s policies and programs on food self-sufficiency, agricultural issues, and the MBG program,” Don said in a media interview.
He assessed that various government programs have made a significant contribution to improving the welfare of rural communities. Support for farmers through crop purchases, easier access to fertilizer, irrigation development, and the provision of agricultural equipment are considered to have strengthened agricultural productivity and supported the sustainability of the MBG Program.
“The economic growth at the village level has increased dramatically. The government purchases grain, buys crops, provides fertilizer, irrigation, and provides agricultural equipment, and distributes programs equitably, as well as absorbing the MBG harvest,” he said.
According to Don, the connection between the MBG program and the agricultural sector creates a positive ripple effect. In addition to providing benefits to recipients of nutritious food, the program also opens up broader market opportunities for local farmers, enabling a more dynamic village economy.
Similar support came from the community who directly benefited from the program. Aisyah, a resident of Sungai Tabuk District, said her child, a beneficiary of the MBG program, received better food while at school.
“Our children have been greatly helped. Besides being able to eat better and more nutritious meals, we as parents also feel empowered because our children’s nutritional needs at school are being taken care of,” he said.
With more and more people experiencing direct benefits, the Free Nutritious Meal Program is considered to be one of the government’s strategic steps in building healthy human resources, improving the welfare of rural communities, and strengthening national food security in a sustainable manner.