The Free Nutritious Meal Program as a Commitment to Developing Human Resources for a Golden Indonesia
By: Dwiky Aleksa )*
The Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) is now one of the government’s main pillars in building a foundation for superior human resources towards a Golden Indonesia 2045. This program goes beyond providing nutritious meals for schoolchildren, but also serves as a tangible long-term investment for the nation’s future. Through the MBG, the government strives to strengthen the health of the younger generation so they grow intelligently, productively, and highly competitive amidst global challenges.
This policy stems from the realization that economic progress will not be achieved without healthy and quality human resources. Indonesia continues to face multiple nutritional challenges: stunting, anemia, and obesity. These problems primarily affect children from low-income families who have limited access to nutritious food. The government believes that improving nutrition from an early age is a strategic step to break the cycle of poverty and increase national productivity.
Nutritionist Mochammad Rizal, who is currently pursuing a doctoral degree at Cornell University, believes that the MBG represents a concrete step to address complex nutritional issues. According to him, nutritional issues are not only related to physical growth, but also to a person’s quality of life and future economic potential. Children with good nutrition have a greater chance of growing with optimal intelligence and cognitive abilities.
Rizal explained that the direct impact of this program can be seen in the improvement in public health. Reducing anemia and stunting rates is an early indicator of the success of the MBG. In the long term, a healthy generation will be better able to contribute to national development. He emphasized that improving children’s nutrition today is an investment in creating a strong generation in the future.
In addition to improving children’s nutritional status, the MBG also plays a role in increasing enthusiasm for learning. Children who receive nutritious meals at school will have more energy and concentration. This is believed to have a positive impact on their academic achievement. Thus, this program not only addresses health aspects but also supports the progress of national education as a whole.
However, Rizal cautioned that implementation in the field still presents challenges. He highlighted the limited number of nutrition experts who must oversee thousands of food portions each day. This workload, if not managed properly, could impact the quality of food safety supervision. To this end, the government implemented new regulations limiting the maximum production capacity per MBG kitchen to maintain hygiene and safety standards.
Rizal viewed this policy as an important step for improvement. He also emphasized that nutrition education must be part of the program. Children and parents need to be educated about the importance of a balanced diet so that the benefits of MBG can continue at home. With community involvement, this program will not be merely temporary but will become a national movement fostering a healthy eating culture.
Support for MBG also came from the legislative branch. Netty Prasetiyani, a member of Commission IX of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), assessed the program as a major national investment in developing a superior generation. She stated that nutritional quality is a crucial foundation for developing productive and competitive human resources. The DPR plays an active role in ensuring the sustainability of this program through budget oversight, regulatory enforcement, and periodic evaluations in various regions.
Netty also emphasized the importance of food quality monitoring and transparency at every stage of program implementation. She believes that family involvement remains key to maintaining children’s nutritional security. A balanced diet must start at home, as nutrition education first comes from parents. The government can provide facilities and support, but true success will be achieved through active community participation.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Heryawan, Chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives’ Community Aspirations Agency (BMKG), described the MBG as a national strategy to reduce stunting rates and improve the quality of Indonesia’s human resources. He believes this program has a dual impact, both on health and economic aspects. By ensuring that school-age children and vulnerable groups receive adequate nutrition, Indonesia is building a healthy and high-achieving future generation.
Heryawan added that the MBG also has a positive impact on the local economy. Demand for food has increased, opening opportunities for farmers, fishermen, and MSMEs to become part of the program’s supply chain. Products such as eggs, vegetables, fish, and fresh meat are commodities directly absorbed by MBG kitchens in various regions. This impact indirectly stimulates the people’s economy and strengthens resilience.village economy.
By involving local businesses, the MBG program not only improves children’s health but also strengthens the foundation of the national economy. The government wants to ensure that the program’s benefits are felt comprehensively—both by direct beneficiaries and the entire ecosystem that supports its implementation.
The government emphasizes that the success of the MBG program will serve as a benchmark for achieving the Golden Indonesia 2045 vision. This program demonstrates the country’s commitment to preparing a healthy, intelligent, and competitive generation.
Through a sustainable approach and strict oversight, the MBG program will symbolize the government’s consistency in strengthening national nutritional security. Every step taken is aimed at ensuring that no Indonesian child is left behind due to malnutrition. With healthy and qualified human resources, Indonesia will be increasingly prepared to realize its grand aspirations for a bright future.
)* Public Policy Observer
