By: Ricky Rinaldi
The Indonesian government continues to demonstrate strong commitment in building a better future for the nation through policies that not only address basic needs but also open up significant opportunities for grassroots economic players. One of the flagship policies that has captured public attention is the Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) — an innovative initiative aimed not only at improving child nutrition, but also breathing new life into micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), particularly in the agriculture and local food sectors.
Through this program, the government targets over 80 million beneficiaries among school-aged children. However, the impact goes far beyond numbers. MBG is designed as a strategic ecosystem that integrates multiple sectors, including agricultural MSMEs, food processing industries, and digital technologies to support distribution and budget transparency.
The agriculture sector has become one of the key players in the implementation of MBG — not just as a supplier of nutritious food ingredients, but as a local partner ready to tackle distribution challenges across diverse regions. This is where the potential of MSMEs is truly tested and encouraged to grow.
Throughout July 2025, media coverage highlighted strong government support for MBG and its impact on the local economy. President Prabowo Subianto affirmed that MBG is not merely a consumptive aid program but an integral part of Indonesia’s Golden Vision 2045. He stated that MBG must be seen as a policy that addresses the future of Indonesian children while also reinforcing the national economic structure from the bottom up.
Prabowo views MBG as a concrete example of how the state is present in the daily lives of its people — ensuring that every Indonesian child is not only fed, but also grows up healthy and intelligent. He considers this policy a symbol of strategic leadership with long-term impact, especially in elevating local MSMEs as the backbone of the rural economy.
Support for MBG also comes from the technological side of governance. Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs, Nezar Patria, stated that digitalization is a crucial element for the success of the MBG program. He explained that managing a program that serves tens of millions of children requires a data-driven system that is accurate, transparent, and efficient.
Nezar emphasized that the government has developed a digital system that enables real-time monitoring of distribution processes, food quality, and the involvement of local MSMEs. He added that this digital approach helps minimize fraud and ensures that the assistance reaches the right hands, at the right time, and meets children’s nutritional needs.
Furthermore, digitalization allows the government to identify distribution bottlenecks or logistical challenges, particularly in 3T regions (underdeveloped, frontier, and outermost areas). With real-time data, policies can be adjusted swiftly, quick interventions can be made, and local businesses can be mobilized for collaborative solutions. Here, MSMEs — especially in agriculture — play a central role by supplying fresh, local food tailored to regional tastes and cultures.
Support from various stakeholders has further legitimized this program. At the end of July 2025, national media reported that UNICEF expressed its support for MBG. The international organization praised MBG as a concrete step by the Indonesian government to strengthen social safety nets, improve children’s quality of life, and significantly reduce stunting rates. They also acknowledged the involvement of local communities — including small farmers and regional food producers — as a best practice worthy of global emulation.
Beyond its direct benefits for children, MBG is also driving microeconomic growth in many regions. When the government sets nutrition standards for every meal, local MSMEs — from vegetable farmers, poultry breeders, tofu and tempeh artisans, to healthy snack producers — are incorporated into the food procurement system. Many are now part of stable supply chains and are receiving training, certification, and access to microfinance.
Local governments have responded enthusiastically. Several regents and mayors are crafting strategies to involve local MSMEs in the implementation of MBG. They realize that if managed well, the program can not only improve the health of the younger generation but also create jobs, revitalize local markets, and enhance rural purchasing power.
In the medium term, MBG is projected to significantly boost regional economic growth. As the demand for food rises regularly and predictably, farmers and MSMEs gain market certainty. This could reduce reliance on middlemen and increase the value of local products, which have often been overshadowed by imported goods.
Of course, a program as large as MBG does not come without challenges — including limited production capacity among MSMEs, logistical hurdles in remote areas, and bureaucratic inefficiencies. However, with a collaborative approach and support from digital technologies, the government is showing that these challenges can be turned into opportunities.
MBG is not just about “feeding the people”; it is a long-term social and economic investment. It reflects the state’s commitment not only to macroeconomic growth but also to human development from an early age.
Through this program, Indonesia is showing the world that nutrition policy can be a powerful engine for empowering the people’s economy. Most importantly, it ensures that Indonesian children not only dream of a brighter future — but also enjoy a meaningful, healthy breakfast every single day.
*Strategic Issues Analyst
