Jakarta – The Indonesian government continues to strengthen its commitment to creating a Golden Generation through concrete, high-impact policies. One of the key strategic initiatives now drawing public attention is the deployment of 30,000 Indonesian Development Cadre Graduates (Sarjana Penggerak Pembangunan Indonesia, SPPI) across the country to support the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meals Program (MBG).
This flagship program, initiated by President Prabowo Subianto, not only focuses on providing daily meals for schoolchildren but also aims to build a comprehensive nutrition distribution and education system. The presence of SPPI graduates serves as clear proof that the government is serious about establishing this initiative as a pillar of national nutrition resilience.
Dadan Hindayana, Head of the National Nutrition Agency, emphasized that strengthening human resources is the top priority in ensuring the program’s success. “We have completed preparing the human resources – 30,000 graduates are ready to be deployed across all regions, including remote areas,” he said. These graduates have undergone intensive training and are prepared to directly manage the program’s implementation on the ground.
Their responsibilities go beyond food distribution; they also cover nutrition education, menu planning tailored to local needs, reporting on program implementation, and fostering community participation. The government wants to ensure that MBG is not merely a short-term aid initiative but a nationwide movement addressing the root causes of malnutrition.
Yosef Puguh, Expert Staff at the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Cultural Affairs (Kemenko PMK), also highlighted the critical role of SPPI as development partners. “They are not just workers, but strategic partners of the state in ensuring that Indonesian children receive proper daily nutrition,” he stated. The government believes that through this approach, program quality can be consistently maintained, even in the most remote regions.
This initiative also represents the government’s innovation in creating productive employment opportunities for fresh graduates while instilling a spirit of national service. With a spirit of gotong royong (mutual cooperation), the MBG program is expected to generate a major leap in developing healthy, intelligent, and competitive future generations.
Moreover, the deployment of SPPI graduates symbolizes the presence of the state among its people. Through this program, the government demonstrates that nutrition issues are not just the responsibility of technical ministries but a national cross-sectoral agenda requiring collaborative efforts. Coordination between central and regional governments, as well as community involvement, will continue to be strengthened to ensure the MBG program reaches those who need it most.
