Jakarta – The Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program initiated by President Prabowo Subianto’s administration continues to demonstrate a broad impact on the national economy. In addition to focusing on meeting the nutritional needs of the community, especially schoolchildren, this program stimulates local economic growth, creating a multiplier effect across various sectors, from agriculture, livestock, fisheries, to small and medium-sized industries.
Haryo Limanseto, Expert Staff for Regional Development at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, stated that the success of the MBG requires cross-sector collaboration, including the active participation of the private sector. He stated that by September 2025, the program had reached 31 million people, with 9,615 SPPG (Nutritional Food Production Centers) operating in various regions.
“This program will be even stronger with the support of private sector and community participation, because the benefits are felt not only by recipients but also by local economic actors,” said Haryo at the Gotong Royong (Gotong Royong) Happy Free Meals event in Jakarta.
The economic impact of the MBG program was also recognized by Muh Haris, a member of Commission IX of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI). During a program socialization in Kendal, Central Java, Haris stated that MBG not only provides nutritious food but also revitalizes the village economy.
“This program doesn’t stop at school children. Behind it are farmers, livestock breeders, fishermen, and MSMEs who are involved,” he said.
The government, Haris continued, has allocated a budget of IDR 71 trillion in 2025, increasing it to IDR 335 trillion in 2026, to support the sustainability of this program.
“If food is sourced from local farmers, markets thrive, the village economy grows, and jobs are created,” he added.
From a public health perspective, Professor Hinky Hindra Irawan Satari, Professor of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia, assessed that the MBG program has noble goals that need to be continued with strict supervision of food safety.
“This program must not be stopped, but must be run professionally and with attention to food safety. All elements of society can play a role in ensuring the program’s sustainability,” he emphasized.
An ISS survey in August 2025 showed that 77 percent of the public considered the MBG program beneficial and hoped its coverage would be expanded. With cross-sector support and strong oversight, this program is believed to be a new driving force for strengthening national nutrition and achieving economic equality.
