NABIRE – The government continues to expand the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program in Papua to ensure its benefits reach more people. In Nabire Regency, Central Papua, the program not only increases access to nutritious food for students and vulnerable groups but also stimulates local economic growth through employment creation, utilization of local commodities, and strengthening transparent governance.
During the first semester of 2026, the Nabire National Nutrition Agency (BGN) recorded that 32,002 beneficiaries received MBG services. This number comprised 28,113 students and 3,889 recipients from the pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers groups. The program’s implementation is supported by 14 Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG) across several districts in Nabire Regency.
The Regional Coordinator of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) in Nabire, Marsel Asyerem, said the evaluation conducted during the first six months serves as the basis for program refinements to expand its reach and continuously improve service quality. “This evaluation isn’t just about measuring how much food has been distributed, but also about taking responsibility for building healthy Papuan human resources while simultaneously driving regional economic independence,” said Marsel Asyerem.
In addition to providing nutritional benefits, the MBG program also has a significant economic impact. A total of 658 workers have been employed by 14 SPPGs, including 180 Indigenous Papuans (OAP). With daily earnings of between Rp 120,000 and Rp 200,000, the program boosts the local economy, estimated at Rp 1.58 billion to Rp 2.63 billion per month.
The Nabire National Food Security Agency (BGN) also continues to promote the use of local agricultural, livestock, and fishery products as primary raw materials for nutritious food production. This initiative is expected to expand economic benefits for farmers, livestock breeders, fishermen, and business owners in Nabire Regency as demand for program food increases.
Marsel Asyerem emphasized that the expansion of MBG benefits is measured not only by the increase in the number of service recipients, but also by its impact on community well-being. “We want to absorb more local agricultural, livestock, and fishery products so that the benefits of this program can be felt more widely by the community,” Marsel Asyerem emphasized.
To strengthen accountability, the MBG implementation is supported by the MBG Accountability and Reporting Information System (SIAP-MBG). This digital platform allows for open monitoring of planning, budget management, and food distribution processes, thereby enhancing transparency in program implementation.
SIAP-MBG developer Azrulah Kainage explained that the system is designed to allow the public to monitor the program’s implementation and ensure its optimal benefits. “This program isn’t just about nutrition, but also about how incoming state funds circulate within the community, so that residents directly feel the economic benefits,” Azrulah Kainage concluded.
The expansion of MBG’s reach in Papua demonstrates the government’s commitment to developing healthy human resources while strengthening the regional economy. With a growing beneficiary base and improved governance, the program is expected to deliver even broader benefits to the Papuan people.