By: Yudhistira Wijaya )*
In an effort to improve the nutritional quality of children, pregnant women, and other vulnerable groups, the Indonesian Government under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto has launched an innovative program aimed at providing easy access to nutritious food.
The Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) Program, launched in January 2025, has shown encouraging results. With its broad reach and clear positive impact, the program not only prioritizes improving nutrition but also builds a long-term foundation for the quality of Indonesia’s human resources.
President Prabowo announced the extraordinary achievements of the MBG program. Prabowo stated that more than 44 million beneficiaries have directly felt the impact of this program, including pregnant women, toddlers, and school students. This figure demonstrates the government’s success in reaching a wide range of segments of society, particularly those who have traditionally struggled to access nutritious food.
Not only is the number of beneficiaries impressive, but so is the number of meals produced and distributed. Since the program’s launch, more than 2 billion meals have been produced and distributed, far exceeding the initial projection of 1.8 billion. This is a significant achievement, demonstrating that the government’s distribution system is working effectively and is capable of meeting the nutritional needs of people across Indonesia.
One of the main objectives of the MBG program is to reach marginalized areas, particularly those in the 3T (Underdeveloped, Frontier, and Outermost) regions. Through the development of Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG), the government ensures that this program reaches communities in remote areas. In more difficult-to-reach areas, such as remote areas in Papua, Kalimantan, and the Riau Islands, the government continues to accelerate the construction of MBG kitchens that will distribute nutritious food to the community.
Wahyu Widistyanta, Regional Director I of the Deputy for Provision and Distribution of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), revealed that the construction of MBG kitchens in the 3T (Underdeveloped, 3T) regions has entered the technical stage in several areas. This development project targets the construction of 4,770 MBG kitchens, which are expected to be completed by the end of 2025. With a more compact kitchen design but still having the capacity to serve 1,000 beneficiaries per location, this program ensures that even people in remote areas will have access to the nutritious food they need.
In addition to receiving support from various government sectors, the MBG program has also received praise from academics. Professor Sandra Fikawati, Professor of the Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Public Health, University of Indonesia, stated that the MBG represents a significant opportunity for Indonesia to develop better human resources.
Indonesia’s competitiveness has been lagging behind due to a lack of attention to children’s nutritional intake during their growth period. The MBG program is expected to provide a solution to increase the nation’s competitiveness by providing adequate nutrition to the next generation from an early age.
Research conducted by the Center for Nutrition and Health Studies (PKGK) at the Faculty of Public Health, University of Indonesia (FKM UI) shows that interventions involving the provision of nutritious food in schools can reduce malnutrition from 2.0 percent to 0.5 percent. Furthermore, students receiving nutritious food also experienced an average weight gain of 2 kg and an average height gain of 2.9 cm. This indicates that the MBG program not only improves nutritional status but also contributes to the physical and cognitive growth of children.
The MBG program’s success in providing equitable access to nutritious food throughout Indonesia extends beyond food distribution. As part of a long-term effort, the government is also collaborating with academics to strengthen nutrition education among the public.
The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) is currently developing a nutrition education module to be provided to MBG beneficiaries, including students and parents. This educational program is expected to increase public awareness of the importance of a balanced nutritional intake and how to maintain a healthy diet.
In addition, BGN is preparing certification for nutritionists in Indonesia, which will strengthen monitoring and promotion of nutritional fulfillment in the community. The presence of trained and certified nutritionists in every region will ensure that the MBG program is not only effective in distributing nutritious food but also has a sustainable impact on awareness and healthy nutrition management.
The success of the MBG program depends not only on the central government but also on strong synergy between various sectors, including local governments, the private sector, and the community. Support from various parties is key to ensuring the program’s sustainability. Collaboration between the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), relevant ministries, and the private sector has contributed significantly to its success.
The Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program launched by the government is a major step towards improving the quality of life for Indonesians. By providing easier access to nutritious food, this program focuses not only on meeting short-term nutritional needs but also on building a foundation for a healthier and more productive future generation.
With continued support from all sectors, we can hope that this program will continue to grow and provide long-term benefits for the development of Indonesian human resources that are superior and more competitive at the global level.
)* The author is an observer of nutrition and food policy