By: Marcus Wonda *)
The Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) in Papua is an important milestone in the government’s efforts to improve the quality of human resources through strengthening nutrition from an early age. This policy not only reflects the seriousness of the state in guaranteeing children’s rights to healthy and nutritious food, but also shows real support for regions that have faced geographical challenges and development inequality. Papua, with all its uniqueness and potential, is a strategic location to start this big step.
In several areas such as Jayapura City, Sarmi Regency, Yapen, and Biak, the MBG program has begun to be implemented. The implementation is carried out in stages, adjusting to the readiness of the nutrition kitchen in each region. The Acting Governor of Papua, Ramses Limbong, emphasized that this implementation will continue to be expanded in line with technical readiness in other areas, including Jayapura and Keerom. The fact that this program has begun to be implemented in Papua shows the government’s commitment to ensuring that every child, wherever they live, has the same opportunity to grow up healthy and smart.
The main focus of the MBG run by the government is the provision of nutritious food for students. With a cost allocation per portion of between Rp25 thousand to Rp40 thousand, the government shows its commitment to not only providing food quantitatively, but also quality. This is important, considering that adequate nutritional intake will affect children’s learning abilities and mental development. This step is also an invaluable long-term investment for the future of the nation, especially in realizing the grand vision of Indonesia Emas 2045.
On the other hand, the MBG program is strengthened through the development of an integrated model supported by UNICEF. This support includes integration between supplementary feeding in schools, as well as nutrition programs for pregnant women and toddlers. This is not an expansion of the MBG program in an administrative sense, but rather part of a collaborative and holistic approach to addressing nutrition issues in Papua. The government collaborates with UNICEF to encourage cross-sector involvement, including schools, health facilities, and local communities, as well as paying attention to the food supply chain and local food potential. This approach enriches the context of MBG implementation, making it more adaptive to local needs and sustainable in the long term.
Deputy Regent of Biak Numfor, Jimmy Carter Rumbarar Kapissa, said that the MBG program is a real manifestation of the government’s efforts in developing Indonesian people from an early age. He emphasized that improving children’s nutritional status is an important part of creating a superior generation that can compete globally. The Biak Numfor regional government, for example, not only runs the program, but is also active in perfecting the implementation model by involving local stakeholders in planning and execution.
The relevant ministries and institutions at the national level have also shown consistency in promoting this program. Representatives from the National Nutrition Agency said that the acceleration of MBG implementation is prioritized in eastern Indonesia, including Papua. With a national target of 3,000 MBG kitchens that will reach more than 82 million beneficiaries, Papua is one of the focuses with a plan for 90 kitchens and potential benefits for more than 270 thousand people. This large target shows that Papua is not positioned as a marginal region, but as the center of the national strategic agenda in community nutrition development.
The involvement of many parties in making the MBG a success in Papua is a reflection of the mutual cooperation approach in public policy. The central government sets the direction and provides technical and budget support, while the local government is tasked with ensuring the readiness of infrastructure and human resources. International institutions such as UNICEF complement this support through policy innovation and a multi-sectoral approach. With this close cooperation, the challenges in Papua can be addressed more effectively, from logistical limitations to the need for cultural adjustments in consumption patterns.
The presence of the MBG program also opens up space for local empowerment. The use of local food is one of the principles encouraged in its implementation. This provides added value for farmers and small business actors in the region, while strengthening local food security. In other words, MBG not only makes the younger generation healthy, but also drives the local economy. This is an example of how a well-designed program can provide multi-layered impacts that reinforce each other.
Throughout this process, it is important to note that MBG is not just a short-term project. It is part of a grand vision of Indonesian human development. Therefore, consistency in implementation, strict monitoring, and periodic evaluation must be an integral part of its implementation. The success in Papua can be a national model, provided it is maintained with an adaptive approach and real sustainability.
With the various efforts that have been and are being made, support for the Free Nutritious Meals program in Papua must continue to be strengthened. The government has shown a step forward that needs to be appreciated and maintained. The challenges in the field are certainly not small, but with close collaboration and visionary leadership, this program can become one of the most impactful policies in creating a healthy, intelligent, and competitive generation. Papua, with all its potential, deserves to be a showcase for the success of the MBG program as part of the great mission of building Advanced Indonesia.
*) Papua Progress Literacy Activist
