By: Juanda Syah )*
The government continues to strive to accelerate equitable welfare and improve the quality of human resources throughout Indonesia through the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) Program. This program is a strategic step in addressing nutritional and economic inequality, especially in remote areas that have been difficult to reach by development programs. The MBG program is not only an initiative to meet the need for nutritious food, but also a crucial momentum to strengthen local economic independence by increasing community food production activities.
Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs, Zulkifli Hasan, stated that the MBG program is a concrete manifestation of the government’s commitment to building the nation by improving the nutritional quality of the community. According to him, good nutrition is the main foundation for developing an intelligent, healthy, and highly competitive generation. For years, malnutrition has been one of the causes of low productivity and low thinking skills. With the MBG program, the government aims to ensure that Indonesian children, including those living in remote areas, have equal access to nutritious food and the opportunity to grow optimally.
Improving the quality of community nutrition will have a direct impact on the nation’s intelligence and competitiveness. Currently, the average intelligence level of Indonesians remains at a level that needs to be improved. Through the massive implementation of the MBG program, the government is targeting significant improvements in the quality of national human resources. Children who receive balanced nutrition are expected to grow with strong physical strength and strong intellectual abilities, thus becoming a key asset in realizing the Golden Indonesia 2045.
The MBG program is not only about providing nutritious food but also a means to raise public awareness of the importance of family planning, including education and household finances. In various regions, many people still lack the ability to accurately calculate family needs. Through MBG outreach, the community is encouraged to understand the importance of healthy eating habits and more rational economic planning. This approach reinforces the MBG program’s goal of not only addressing nutritional aspects but also empowering communities to become more independent and prosperous.
The MBG program targets 82.9 million beneficiaries by 2026. Its primary target population includes schoolchildren, pregnant women, and toddlers across all regions, particularly those with high levels of nutritional vulnerability. The government is striving to ensure this program truly reaches remote communities through an effective and integrated distribution system. In its implementation, MBG also collaborates with local governments and small businesses in the food sector to stimulate local economic activity.
The positive impact of this program is beginning to be seen in various regions. The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) recorded an increase in economic activity from October to early November 2025, contributing to a 0.28 percent increase in monthly inflation. This increase was driven by increased demand for eggs and broiler chicken meat, the primary protein sources used in the MBG program. This phenomenon demonstrates that the national distribution of nutritious food has driven increased consumption and economic activity, including in remote areas.
Pudji Ismartini, Deputy for Distribution and Services Statistics at BPS, stated that MBG plays a significant role in encouraging the consumption of animal-based foods in various regions. Demand for broiler chicken eggs and meat has increased significantly and is a major driver of inflation. Nevertheless, this is a positive signal that economic activity in the smallholder food sector is growing. The growing demand for food also opens up opportunities for farmers and micro-entrepreneurs in rural areas to increase production and expand markets.
In addition to boosting food consumption, the MBG program also has a ripple effect across the local economic supply chain. Increases in feed prices such as corn and the cost of producing live chickens have boosted trade activity in various regions. Despite rising inflation, this trend reflects a more active economy and stronger purchasing power. The government continues to maintain a balance between increasing demand and price stability to ensure that the benefits of the MBG program remain optimal for all levels of society.
From a policy perspective, the MBG program is designed as part of a broader national economic equity strategy. By involving local farmers, fishermen, and livestock breeders as key food suppliers, the program strengthens food security while expanding business opportunities in rural areas. This approach is clear evidence that the governmentEconomic growth is not only realized through social assistance, but also through increasing productive community activities. In remote areas, the implementation of the MBG (National Food and Nutrition Program) has even become a new economic driver, creating jobs and increasing family incomes.
The implementation of the MBG is also in line with the government’s vision of realizing a healthy and independent Indonesia. By improving nutrition from an early age, children in remote areas will have equal opportunities to grow into a smart and productive generation. Furthermore, the increased demand for local food products resulting from this program strengthens the economic resilience of rural communities and reduces dependence on supplies from outside the region. This dual impact makes the MBG a crucial momentum in accelerating economic equality while improving national nutritional quality.
This program demonstrates how food policy can be a catalyst for more inclusive development. When community nutrition is met and local economies are active, prosperity will be more evenly distributed throughout the country. With cross-ministerial coordination, local government support, and community participation, the MBG is projected to be one of the most impactful programs in the history of national development.
Ultimately, the MBG Program is not only a manifestation of public health concerns but also a concrete strategy to accelerate economic equality in remote areas. By improving nutritional intake, strengthening community purchasing power, and empowering the local economy, MBG has become a symbol of equitable progress in Indonesia. With solid collaboration between the government and all elements of the nation, the goal of realizing a healthy, independent, and prosperous society throughout the country is now increasingly becoming a reality.
)* The author is a Jakarta student living in Bandung