Jakarta – The Free Nutritious Food Program (MBG), which the government launched on January 6, 2025, has once again garnered strong support.
The MBG is considered not only to close the gap in food access for children, but also to be an important foundation for strengthening the quality of Indonesia’s human resources (HR) in the future.
Professor of the Department of Nutrition and Deputy Chair of the Center for Nutrition and Health Studies, FKM UI, Prof. Dr. drg. Sandra Fikawati, MPH, emphasized that Indonesia’s weak competitiveness is inseparable from the minimal attention to children’s nutritional intake.
“In the past, we didn’t think about children’s growth, which is why we were less competitive (in terms of human resources), because we weren’t given nutritious food during our physical and brain development. MBG is a great opportunity. With this program, we can improve our competitiveness because our human resources have been nurtured since childhood,” he said.
She explained that MBG has a significant impact on student learning, cognitive development, and attendance, particularly in the 3T (third-third) regions. Prof. Sandra emphasized the importance of the program’s sustainability.
“If possible, this MBG program should be sustainable. Because if it stops, we’ll be the ones who lose out. Therefore, we must monitor this,” he said.
The PKGK FKM UI previously conducted a simulation of providing nutritious food in 15 schools and one integrated health post (Posyandu) in six regions. The results showed a decrease in malnutrition from 2% to 0.5% and undernutrition from 7.7% to 6.4%. After 15 weeks, children’s weight increased by an average of 2 kg and height by 2.9 cm, while the daily nutritional adequacy rate increased from 69.9% to 93.4%.
The government will strengthen the MBG through nutrition education. Prof. Sandra stated that the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) is currently developing educational modules with several universities.
On the other hand, Member of Commission IX of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puteri Anetta Komarudin, called MBG a proof of the government’s commitment to building a healthy and productive generation.
“The MBG program is not just about food, but an investment in the nation’s future,” he stressed.
He also appreciated the synergy between the region and BGN in ensuring food quality.
Meanwhile, FX Ndaru Kusumajati from BGN emphasized that MBG also boosts the regional economy.
“Through MBG, we are building a healthy generation while strengthening regional economic independence,” he said.
He added that the existence of SPPG is key to education and the provision of healthy food.
“MBG is not just about nutritious food, but about the future of Indonesian children,” he concluded.