By: Mita Amalia Cantika (*)
The Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) is one of the strategic initiatives promoted by President Prabowo Subianto’s administration to prepare a superior and competitive young generation. Deputy Minister of Social Affairs Agus Jabo Priyono explained that one of the current administration’s priorities is preparing an outstanding young generation. The government has instructed the National Nutrition Agency to start implementing the Free Nutritious Meal Program for all students in Indonesia.
Agus mentioned that this program is expected not only to support children’s nutritional needs but also to enhance the quality of their education and life in the future. According to him, the synergy between fulfilling nutrition and providing quality education will shape a more independent and competitive generation. He emphasized the importance of cooperation between schools, the government, and families in implementing healthy living habits from an early age.
Meanwhile, Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Abdul Mu’ti, during the launch of the Center of Excellence for the Free Nutritious Meal Program at IPB University in Bogor, stated that his ministry had developed guidelines for implementing the MBG program in schools. These guidelines not only focus on providing nutritious meals but also on character building and health services. Mu’ti emphasized that the MBG program has great potential to improve Indonesia’s human resources by integrating values such as togetherness, responsibility, and independence.
Furthermore, Abdul Mu’ti conveyed that a book of Recommendations for Implementing the Free Nutritious Meal Program has been compiled as a guide for the program’s implementation. This book includes recommendations regarding governance, monitoring systems, food safety, and nutritional standards. According to him, integrating character education into the program will play an essential role in strengthening the identity and quality of the younger generation. He also highlighted that this program could increase school participation and attendance, as well as create positive impacts for farmers, livestock breeders, and SMEs.
On the other hand, North Sumatra Police Chief Irjen. Pol. Whisnu Hermawan Februanto visited the trial implementation of the Free Nutritious Meal Program at the Kemala Bhayangkari Foundation 1 Medan. During his visit, he ensured that the meals provided met the nutritional standards set by the government. Whisnu stated that this program is a tangible expression of the government’s commitment to ensuring that the younger generation grows up healthy and intelligent.
Whisnu said that children receiving balanced nutrition will be more focused on learning and have higher competitiveness in the future. He also emphasized the importance of collaboration between the government, security forces, and the community in supporting the sustainability of this program. With strong synergy, the benefits of the program can be optimally felt by students in North Sumatra and other regions.
Furthermore, Whisnu emphasized that the quality of food and nutrition is a key factor in building a healthy, intelligent, and competitive generation. Therefore, his team is committed to fully supporting the implementation of this program and ensuring that there are no obstacles in its execution.
The Free Nutritious Meal Program also has full support from various international organizations such as UNICEF, which stresses the importance of investing in children as the future generation. During the launch of the Center of Excellence for the MBG Program at IPB University, a UNICEF representative in Indonesia emphasized that every child has the right to receive basic needs and quality services to grow in a healthy and caring environment. A nutritious and balanced diet is a crucial element in supporting the optimal development of children.
IPB University Rector Arif Satria also conveyed that the Center of Excellence for the MBG Program would become a research and development hub for this program. The center will study, provide recommendations, and create more efficient and practical development models for the program. According to Arif, the existence of this center is expected to strengthen the program’s implementation and provide valuable input for government policies.
From these various perspectives, it is clear that the Free Nutritious Meal Program is a strategic step in building a more superior human resource base in Indonesia. Through support from various parties, ranging from the central government to security forces and educational institutions, this program is expected to bring significant positive changes for the future of Indonesia’s young generation.
Additionally, this program also serves as a real step in improving the overall welfare of society. By empowering local farmers, livestock breeders, and SMEs in providing nutritious food ingredients, this program creates new job opportunities and stimulates local economic growth. The government’s commitment to involving various sectors demonstrates how MBG can benefit the wider community.
In the future, the success of the Free Nutritious Meal Program could become a model for similar programs internationally. By continuously evaluating and improving based on field data, Indonesia can demonstrate its commitment to creating a generation ready to face global challenges. By meeting basic needs for good and balanced nutrition and integrating them with character education, the government has laid a strong foundation for the nation’s future.
*) The author is a Nutrition Science student from Yogyakarta
