MBG Program Opens New Path for Fulfilling Nutritional Needs of Indonesia’s Young Generation
Jakarta – The Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG), as highlighted by President Prabowo Subianto, has successfully reached nearly 36.7 million beneficiaries across Indonesia as of October 2025. This program is an important government initiative to ensure the nutritional needs of the younger generation are met, aiming for a healthier, stronger, and more competitive future for the nation.
President Prabowo also stated that a total of 1.4 billion meal portions have been distributed. Economically, the MBG program has created 1 million new jobs in Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG) or kitchens. He explained that the 30,000 SPPG units under BGN currently require at least 50 workers each.
“So, we can compare the multiplier effect of this program,” President Prabowo said in Jakarta on October 20.
The presence of the MBG Program, especially in schools, has brought positive impacts, including increased student attendance rates. For example, at SMP Negeri Serui Laut, Yapen, Papua, student attendance used to reach only 70 percent.
“This Free Nutritious Meal Program really has a positive impact. Student attendance, which was previously only 70 percent, can now reach 90 to 95 percent. This shows the program is very helpful,” said Acting Principal of SMP Negeri Serui Laut, Dody Sugiarto.
Dody added that the increased attendance has also created a more active and conducive learning atmosphere in classrooms. Therefore, the school appreciates the parties involved in initiating and implementing this program.
If what happened at SMP Serui Laut is experienced by all schools receiving MBG, then the future impact is significant. Founder of Lansia Sejahtera Surabaya, Jani Purwanty, stated that MBG is crucial because nutrition is the foundation of intelligence, productivity, and national competitiveness, especially as Indonesia faces its demographic bonus.
Jani explained that the demographic bonus is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If our children today grow up malnourished, by 2045 they will become a fragile generation.
“If the foundation of the productive human resources (HR) is not built now, Indonesia will bear a double burden: a shortage of resilient productive workforce to support the national economy, and when entering the aging society era, increased social financing burdens for the elderly population,” Jani explained.
The lecturer and researcher from FH Unair emphasized that if unaddressed, Indonesia will face a very heavy burden. According to her, the MBG Program is the right solution.*
