Jakarta – The Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program implemented by the government is considered to have begun to have a tangible impact on the national agricultural sector. President Prabowo Subianto’s flagship program is said to have successfully absorbed local farmers’ produce and created market certainty for millions of farmers in various regions.
Minister of Agriculture and Head of the National Food Agency, Andi Amran Sulaiman, stated that the MBG program is not just a food aid program, but rather part of a larger ecosystem that directly connects farmer production with public consumption needs.
“Don’t view MBG as a stand-alone program. That’s the key word. MBG is an offtaker for 165 million farmers. I repeat, MBG is an offtaker for 165 million Indonesian farmers,” said Amran.
According to Amran, the MBG program provides market certainty for farmers, allowing them to optimally absorb their harvests without worrying about oversupply, which could potentially depress selling prices at the producer level. He believes this pattern is crucial for maintaining the sustainability of national food production while improving farmer welfare.
In addition to strengthening the absorption of agricultural products, the MBG program is also considered capable of stimulating the village economy. Integrated production, distribution, and consumption activities create new economic cycles in agricultural and livestock centers.
Amran stated that the increasing demand for food to support the MBG program has had a positive impact on the growth of the national agricultural and livestock sectors. The continued increase in demand is considered a stimulus for farmers and local food entrepreneurs to increase their production capacity.
“This will (make) our children intelligent in the future, full of nutrition. Then, the economy will circulate in the villages. This market is vibrant and directly benefits the people,” Amran said.
The MBG program itself targets various beneficiary groups, from school children to pregnant women. The government considers the program a strategic step to develop superior human resources while strengthening national food security based on local production.
Amran also emphasized that the MBG program has no political agenda, but rather focuses on improving the quality of the nation’s next generation. According to him, the government wants to ensure that Indonesian children receive adequate nutrition so they grow into a healthy, intelligent, and productive generation.
“We provide (MBG) to elementary school children, children in the womb. This means we truly want to prepare a stronger, smarter young generation for the Indonesian people,” said Amran.
With the significant potential for agricultural product absorption through the MBG program, the government hopes to create a stronger, more stable food supply chain that favors local farmers. The program is also expected to drive the village economy while strengthening national food self-sufficiency in the future.