Jakarta – The Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) Program is considered a major driver of national agricultural product absorption while simultaneously strengthening the village economy. The program now serves as a market for farmers’ produce, thus positively impacting the economic cycle of local communities.
The Minister of Agriculture, Andi Amran Sulaiman, emphasized that MBG has become an offtaker for the produce of approximately 165 million farmers throughout Indonesia. According to him, the program does not stand alone but is part of the national agricultural ecosystem that connects farmers’ production with public consumption needs.
“MBG is an offtaker for agricultural products for approximately 165 million Indonesian farmers. This program provides market certainty so that farmers’ produce can be optimally absorbed,” said Andi Amran.
He explained that the MBG program has also driven increased economic activity in villages because the processes of food production, distribution, and consumption are integrated. With the increasing demand for food for the program, farmers’ harvests and livestock products have a clearer and more sustainable market.
“The village economy is also growing because markets are vibrant and agricultural products are directly absorbed by government programs,” he said.
According to him, the MBG program also helps maintain stable crop prices at the farm level. The certainty of production absorption means farmers no longer have to worry about potential oversupply, which could depress agricultural commodity prices.
Furthermore, the increased demand for food from the MBG program is considered to have contributed to the growth of the national agricultural and livestock sectors. Continuous economic activity opens up business opportunities for rural communities, from farmers and livestock breeders to local food distributors.
Meanwhile, Coordinating Minister for Food, Zulkifli Hasan, emphasized that farmer welfare is the government’s primary focus in developing the national food sector.
“Farmers are the spearhead of food security. The government wants to ensure that farmers’ harvests provide profits and strengthen the rural economy,” said Zulkifli Hasan.
The government is optimistic that the MBG program will continue to strengthen the village economy because the absorption of agricultural products is sustainable and provides direct benefits to communities in various regions.
The Head of the Legal and Public Relations Bureau of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Khairul Hidayati, stated that the Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) is a strategic government measure to strengthen the quality of human resources while supporting national food security.
This was conveyed by Hidayati during an online expert lecture held by the Defense University (Unhan) on Friday (May 8th) with the theme “Strengthening National Food Security through Technological Innovation, Nutrition Policy, and Food Safety in Support of National Security.”
The MBG program is motivated by the importance of fulfilling nutritional needs as a foundation for developing a healthy, intelligent, and productive human population. She stated that Indonesia currently faces the challenge of the triple burden of malnutrition: stunting, malnutrition, and overnutrition, which occur simultaneously.
“Good nutrition is a key factor in supporting growth, health, intelligence, and productivity. Therefore, the MBG program is part of the government’s efforts to improve the quality of human resources towards the Golden Indonesia 2045,” she said.
In addition to improving the nutritional status of the community, this program is also expected to support poverty alleviation, increase productivity, and encourage local economic growth through the involvement of various business sectors and food providers.