MBG Budget Realization Becomes Proof of Government Commitment to Improving National Nutrition
By: Syakur Hamzah )*
The Free Nutritious Meal Program (Makan Bergizi Gratis/MBG) is one of the government’s strategic policies in addressing a fundamental national issue: the quality of nutrition among children and vulnerable groups. For years, problems such as stunting, malnutrition, and unequal access to nutritious food have posed serious challenges that directly affect the quality of Indonesia’s human resources. Therefore, MBG should not be viewed merely as a social assistance program, but as a long-term development policy. The significant realization of its budget demonstrates that the government is not stopping at the planning stage, but is fully committed to implementation. This step also reaffirms that improving nutrition has been positioned as a national priority.
President Prabowo Subianto has firmly stated that MBG is implemented as an investment in the future of human resources. According to the President, development cannot be sustainable if the younger generation grows up without adequate nutritional intake. Healthy and well-nourished children will have stronger competitiveness, both in education and in the workforce in the future. This statement reflects the government’s long-term vision that places human quality as the main foundation of national progress. Thus, MBG becomes an important instrument to break the chain of structural poverty, which often begins with nutritional problems from an early age.
From an implementation perspective, the realization of the MBG budget shows achievements worthy of appreciation. Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Dadan Hindayana, revealed that by mid-December, budget absorption had reached around IDR 58 trillion, or more than 80 percent of the total allocated ceiling. This figure reflects the accelerated implementation of the program across various regions. The increasing number of active Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (Satuan Pelayanan Pemenuhan Gizi/SPPG) has been a major factor behind the high absorption rate. This indicates that the MBG program is not concentrated only in major cities, but is reaching a broader range of areas.
The optimization of MBG kitchen services has also contributed significantly to the effectiveness of program implementation. Increased budget absorption has been driven by improved kitchen governance, distribution efficiency, and the expansion of beneficiary coverage. Students, school-age children, and vulnerable groups are the primary targets of this program. Through this approach, MBG does not merely provide food, but also ensures nutritional standards that meet the needs of recipients. Efforts to improve administrative management and accelerate budget disbursement continue to be carried out so that all allocations can be utilized optimally by the end of the year.
The high level of budget realization also reflects increasingly solid cross-sector coordination. Central and regional governments are required to work in harmony to ensure the program runs effectively on the ground. The success of MBG is not measured solely by the amount of budget absorbed, but also by the quality of services and the tangible impact felt by the community. In this context, MBG has shown potential as an integrated social policy model. If this consistency is maintained, MBG could serve as a best practice example in managing national priority programs.
Support for the MBG program has also come from public policy observers. Dr. Anzori Tawakal assessed that the government has demonstrated seriousness and consistency in implementing the program. According to him, focusing on improving the nutrition of the nation’s future generation is an appropriate and relevant step in facing future development challenges. MBG is seen as a manifestation of the state’s commitment to the future of Indonesian children. Such appreciation is important in strengthening the legitimacy of the policy, as well as encouraging the government to continue maintaining the quality of program implementation.
Furthermore, MBG has broad economic and social implications. In addition to improving public health quality, the program also creates a multiplier effect through the involvement of local MSMEs, farmers, and food suppliers. A sustainably built nutritious food supply chain will stimulate regional economies. Thus, MBG impacts not only the health sector, but also strengthens the people’s economy. This comprehensive approach demonstrates that nutrition policy can go hand in hand with the national economic development agenda.
Looking ahead, the government’s main challenge is to maintain program sustainability and ensure quality is preserved as coverage expands. Transparency, accountability, and strict oversight are key to ensuring that MBG truly achieves its objectives. The government must continue to open space for evaluation and data-driven improvements in the field. With a strong policy foundation and adequate budget support, MBG has the potential to become a major milestone in the history of Indonesia’s national nutrition development.
The high level of budget absorption reflects the seriousness of the state in ensuring that policies do not stop at the planning stage, but are truly implemented to reach target groups broadly and accurately. Through MBG, the government seeks to build a foundation of healthy and high-quality human resources from an early age. This step reaffirms that investing in child nutrition is a long-term investment in national progress.
The successful implementation of MBG certainly requires sustained support from all stakeholders, including the public. Public participation, collective oversight, and positive acceptance of this program will strengthen the effectiveness of government policies in improving the nutritional quality of Indonesian children. With such support, the realization of the MBG budget will not only represent a fiscal achievement, but will also deliver tangible social impact. Ultimately, synergy between the government and society will be the key to realizing a healthy, intelligent, and competitive Indonesian generation.
)* The author is a Public Policy Observer.
