Central Government Accelerates Implementation of Free Nutritious Meals Program in the Regions
JAKARTA – The central government, through the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), continues to accelerate the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) Program across Indonesia. This strong commitment was evident during the Second Wave Regional Leaders Retreat, held at the IPDN campus in West Java.
Head of the National Nutrition Agency, Dadan Hindayana, personally emphasized the urgency of accelerating the program to the attending regional heads. Human resource development was highlighted as a key focus for speeding up implementation. The government is set to launch special training programs for MBG personnel starting in July.
“Yes, the acceleration of MBG was certainly discussed. Because the three keys to nutritious food are: first, budget; second, human resources; and third, infrastructure,” said Dadan.
He further stressed that remote, frontier, and underdeveloped regions (3T areas) will be prioritized with the deployment of trained personnel who will undergo three months of preparation.
“So by the end of July, they can already be deployed to the regions, and real acceleration will be seen by late July or early August,” he added.
Dadan also explained that the materials delivered during the retreat were consistent with previous communications to local governments, particularly the emphasis on three vital roles that local governments can play in supporting the MBG program.
A similar push is also taking place in Padang Panjang City. Deputy Mayor Allex instructed all departments to swiftly implement the MBG program to ensure timely delivery.
“Speed up the MBG program. If possible, implement it by the fourth week of June and ensure it runs smoothly according to plan,” Allex asserted.
Meanwhile, Padang Panjang City Secretary Sonny stated that they had prepared three sites for MBG kitchen construction in accordance with BGN’s requests.
“Two locations are planned in Bancalaweh, and one more in Rusunawa. Six other sites will be developed by private partners,” he said.
From the legislative side, strong support for MBG’s effectiveness also came from Ledia Hanifa Amaliah, Member of House Commission X, who stressed the importance of affirmative support for 3T areas to comprehensively address malnutrition and stunting.
“The 3T regions—underdeveloped, frontier, and outermost—need serious affirmative action to ensure adequate daily nutrition intake,” Ledia said.
She also underlined the importance of proper food waste management to prevent environmental issues around schools resulting from the program’s implementation.
“Whether it’s through maggot processing, composting, or other methods, we need to ensure the waste is handled properly so it doesn’t accumulate and create new problems,” she concluded.
This cross-sector commitment reflects the seriousness of both the central and regional governments in making the Free Nutritious Meals Program a cornerstone of building a healthy and high-quality generation, especially in areas that need the most support
