By: Myrna Azizah )*
The Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) Program is one of the government’s top priorities in meeting the basic needs of the underprivileged. More than just a social program, MBG is designed as a strategic initiative involving Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to strengthen the local economy. This approach not only provides nutritious food to those in need but also empowers MSMEs as primary food providers. In this way, the government creates a sustainable solution that integrates social welfare efforts with economic empowerment.
Local MSMEs play a significant role in this program. As processors of agricultural, livestock, and fishery products, MSMEs are at the forefront of supplying nutritious food needs. This role strengthens the regional economy and creates a collaborative ecosystem that supports sustainable development. With a network spread throughout Indonesia, MSMEs have high adaptability, making them very suitable to support the implementation of the MBG program.
Minister of Communication and Digital (Menkomdigi), Meutya Hafid, said the success of this program requires active collaboration from various parties. MBG is not only the responsibility of the government, but also requires the participation of the community and business actors. This program reflects President Prabowo Subianto’s vision in creating equitable social welfare, especially for the poor and vulnerable. Through the involvement of MSMEs, this program is not only a means of fulfilling basic needs, but also creates new economic opportunities for the small business sector.
One of the main focuses in empowering MSMEs is increasing their capacity through training and mentoring. The government provides access to appropriate technology that helps MSMEs increase production capacity and product quality. In addition, mentoring in business management, food health standards, and marketing strategies also ensure that MSMEs can produce nutritious and safe products.
Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Dadan Hindayana, emphasized that MSMEs who want to partner in the MBG program must have a clear legal status. This aims to maintain transparency and accountability in the implementation of the program.
This approach has been implemented in various regions. Local governments collaborate with local MSMEs to supply food ingredients, such as vegetables from local farmers or traditional processed food products. Thus, this program not only reduces dependence on external assistance but also strengthens local economic resilience.
Deputy Chairperson of Commission VII of the House of Representatives, Chusnunia Chalim, said that the involvement of MSMEs in the MBG program creates a broad economic impact. In addition to providing direct benefits to the recipient community, this program also encourages regional economic growth and strengthens national food security.
One of the main benefits of involving MSMEs is the efficiency of food distribution. The presence of MSMEs in various regions facilitates the supply of food ingredients to public kitchens or other distribution locations, thereby reducing the risk of distribution inequality. In addition, MSMEs that continue to grow can provide products at more competitive prices, so that program operational costs can be reduced. This efficiency is one of the keys to the sustainability of the MBG program.
Through empowering MSMEs, the MBG program also creates significant long-term impacts. Growing MSMEs will open up new job opportunities and strengthen the local economy. In addition, the involvement of MSMEs in this program accelerates the development of their capacity to compete in a wider market. By creating new markets for local products, this program also encourages innovation in the food sector.
The success of the MBG program certainly requires ongoing support from the government and the community. Strengthening regulations, funding, and policies that support MSMEs are important elements. In addition, cross-sector collaboration, including the private sector and academics, is also needed to ensure that this program runs effectively. The government is also expected to continue to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the program to identify challenges and opportunities for improvement.
This program also opens up opportunities for synergy with other programs that have been designed by the government, such as card-based social assistance and community-based creative economic development. By integrating MBG with these initiatives, the benefits generated will be greater and have a wider impact. On the other hand, community participation as beneficiaries needs to be directed to be more active in contributing to regional economic development through productive activities supported by this program.
The MBG program is more than just a food distribution effort. In a broader perspective, this program reflects the government’s commitment to creating a mutually supportive social and economic ecosystem. By involving MSMEs, the government is not only providing solutions to food problems, but also encouraging inclusive economic growth. This approach shows that social programs can be a tool for economic empowerment that provides sustainable benefits for the entire community.
In the future, empowering MSMEs in the local food sector can be a more efficient and effective model for similar programs. By building synergy between the government, MSMEs, and the community, this program has the potential to create positive impacts that go far beyond its initial objectives. Empowering MSMEs is not only about improving economic conditions, but also about building a more inclusive and sustainable future for Indonesia.
)* Economic analyst PT Economisia
