Jakarta – Professor of Social Welfare Science at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, University of Indonesia(FISIP UI), Fentiny Nugroho, stated that the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) Program not only plays a role in improving the nutritional quality of the community but also generates economic benefits for beneficiary families and surrounding communities where the program is implemented.
The research was presented at a seminar titled “MBG Study: Impact on Household Income and Expenditure”, held as part of the 58th anniversary of FISIP UI at the Juwono Sudarsono Auditorium.
The study examined how the MBG program affects household economic dynamics, both in terms of income and spending patterns among beneficiary families.
The research led by Prof. Fentiny involved a team of researchers consisting of Annisah, Anna Sakreti Nawangsari, Arif Wibowo, and Shinta Tris Irawati.
According to Prof. Fentiny, the findings show that the presence of Nutritional Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG) as the implementing units of the MBG program has a significant economic impact on surrounding communities.
“The Nutritional Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG) are capable of circulating funds of around Rp10–12 billion per year. About 85 percent of the budget is used to purchase raw materials from local farmers. Each SPPG employs around 50 workers and involves dozens of farmers and suppliers,” she explained.
In addition to creating job opportunities, the study also found that the MBG program provides additional sources of income for volunteers involved in the operation of SPPG. These volunteers receive daily wages that are considered meaningful for household economic conditions.
“They expressed happiness because they now have relatively stable daily income ranging from Rp100,000 to Rp125,000,” she added.
Another finding of the research indicates a reduction in household spending for some beneficiary families, particularly related to food expenses.
A similar view was expressed by Professor of Economics at Muhammadiyah University of Yogyakarta, Imamudin Yuliadi, who assessed that the MBG program has the potential to become a strategic instrument for strengthening food security while encouraging regional economic independence.
“The MBG program can become a strategic instrument not only in improving the nutritional quality of the community but also in building food security and strengthening regional economic independence,” Imamudin said.
He explained that the economic impact of the MBG program would be even greater if its implementation actively involves local economic actors such as farmers, livestock breeders, and regional food businesses.
On the other hand, the MBG program is also designed as a foundation for long-term human resource development by ensuring the nutritional quality of toddlers, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers—the 3B group—from the earliest stages of life, in line with the vision of Indonesia 2045.
With these developments, the MBG program is expected not only to provide social benefits but also to generate a multiplier effect for regional economies while strengthening nutritional interventions during the first 1,000 days of life.
