Jakarta – The Free Nutritional Meal Program (MBG) is now a successful example of a national policy that focuses not only on improving community welfare but also on promoting local economic independence. Through an approach that integrates social and economic aspects, the MBG has successfully strengthened the food supply chain, opened opportunities for small businesses, and created equitable and sustainable growth.
The government emphasizes that economic development must go hand in hand with efforts to improve human quality. Trade and investment at the local level are directed at ensuring public access to nutritious, safe, and affordable food. In this way, economic growth is not only enjoyed by certain groups but also provides direct benefits to the wider community.
Deputy Minister of National Development Planning, Febrian Ruddyard, explained that the MBG is a concrete manifestation of Indonesia’s new direction of development, focusing on people and food security as the center of the national economic strategy.
“Through the MBG, Indonesia demonstrates that social policies can synergize with trade and investment strategies. This program strengthens the local supply chain, empowers small businesses, and ensures that economic benefits are felt by communities in various regions,” said Febrian Ruddyard.
Furthermore, Deputy Minister Febrian assessed that the demand-driven approach implemented in the MBG is key to building a resilient and independent economy.
“This approach ensures that trade activities contribute to community welfare, not simply increasing growth rates,” he added.
The MBG program has proven effective in stimulating the local economy through a demand-driven mechanism that creates structured demand for domestic food products. Farmers, fishermen, livestock breeders, and even MSMEs are now part of the nutritious food supply chain. This stable and sustainable demand drives increased productivity, technological innovation, and the formation of a more independent economic ecosystem at the regional level.
According to Pungkas Bahjuri Ali, Acting Deputy for Human Development and Culture at Bappenas, the positive impact of the MBG is not limited to the food sector. The program also encourages the growth of new local entrepreneurs oriented towards innovation and added value to regional food products.
“This program has a multiplier effect on the processing industry, logistics, construction, finance, and digital technology sectors. The MBG encourages regional economic turnover, leading to faster growth and competitiveness,” he said.
With the MBG, opportunities for MSME involvement in the food supply chain are increasing. This not only strengthens the local economy but also creates new jobs and narrows regional disparities.
The government also highlights the importance of cross-sector collaboration to ensure the sustainability of this program. Strengthening cooperation between the government, businesses, and communities is key to creating resilient food security while expanding economic impact.
The MBG program is now recognized not only as a social policy but also as an economic strategy that encourages local self-reliance. Through synergy between food, trade, and investment policies, Indonesia demonstrates that truly sustainable development is development that provides tangible benefits to communities, strengthens regional economies, and builds the foundation of national independence.
