By: Ricky Rinaldi )*
The government continues to demonstrate its commitment to strengthening the implementation of the Free Nutritious Food Program (MBG), a national priority policy oriented towards public welfare and improving the quality of human resources. This program is a concrete manifestation of the commitment of the administration of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka to ensure balanced nutrition for school-age children and vulnerable communities throughout Indonesia.
Since its initial implementation, the government has emphasized that the MBG program is not simply a social assistance policy, but rather a long-term investment in human development. By ensuring access to nutritious food, the government strives to narrow social disparities, reduce stunting rates, and strengthen the competitiveness of future generations. This approach aligns with the grand vision of national development, which places people at the center of economic growth and the nation’s well-being.
The MBG implementation is carried out through coordination across ministries and institutions, including the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, and the Ministry of Social Affairs, each of which has a synergistic role in program provision, monitoring, and evaluation. The government has also implemented a data-driven digital monitoring system to ensure that every food package can be traced from the warehouse to the recipient.
National Nutrition Agency Spokesperson, Redy Hendra Gunawan, stated that the government prioritizes food quality and safety. He explained that the Ministry of Health is strengthening the laboratory testing process for every food item sent to schools and integrated health posts (Posyandu), and expanding the involvement of nutritionists in the regions to consistently maintain quality standards. He believes this demonstrates the government’s commitment to ensuring that the program runs not only administratively but also truly guarantees the health and safety of beneficiaries.
This step demonstrates that the government is not only focused on distributing aid but also on building a multi-layered, transparent and accountable oversight system. A data-driven approach and continuous evaluation are crucial parts of modernizing social program governance. This also addresses public concerns about the efficient, measurable, and results-oriented implementation of major policies.
In addition to oversight, improving distribution quality is also a serious concern for the government. In several regions, such as West Bandung Regency, Sukabumi, and Blora, digital-based distribution systems have been proven to accelerate the delivery process, minimize technical errors, and increase logistical transparency. The implementation of this system has strengthened the involvement of food MSMEs, village cooperatives, and women’s farming groups in the MBG supply chain, positively impacting local economic growth.
According to Restuardy Daud, Director General of Regional Development at the Ministry of Home Affairs, the implementation of the MBG also has a multiplier effect on regional development. He believes that this program not only improves the nutritional status of the community but also encourages local governments to improve logistics systems, food management, and budget efficiency at the local level. In his view, collaboration between the central and regional governments is a key factor in ensuring the MBG’s sustainability and effectiveness.
Foundations on the ground demonstrate positive results from the program’s implementation. According to reports from several regional health offices, there has been a downward trend in cases of acute malnutrition in areas receiving the first phase of the MBG program. Furthermore, data from elementary and secondary schools also show increased student attendance, believed to be a direct result of the daily availability of healthy food. The government views these achievements as evidence that the MBG policy is on track and providing tangible benefits to the community.
From a macro perspective, the implementation of the MBG program has contributed to social and economic stability. By increasing purchasing power in the local food sector and creating new jobs in the food distribution and processing chain, this program has created a domino effect on regional economic growth. The government views the MBG as a form of social policy reform that combines welfare dimensions with community economic empowerment.
Beyond the economic aspect, the political impact of this program cannot be ignored. The success of the MBG strengthens the government’s legitimacy as an actor truly present for the people. Through transparent implementation and strict oversight, the government builds public trust that social policies can be implemented professionally and fairly. This approach also serves as aA new model of public policy governance that is results-based and has measurable impacts on the wider community.
In the long term, the government aims for the MBG to become one of the main pillars of Indonesia’s human development, alongside national education and health programs. By improving nutritional quality, the government hopes that Indonesia’s young generation will grow up healthier, more productive, and more competitive. This aligns with the national policy direction that places the development of superior human resources as the foundation for achieving Golden Indonesia 2045.
The government also continues to open up opportunities for public and private sector participation to contribute to program oversight and distribution. This mechanism is expected to strengthen ownership, increase efficiency, and maintain public trust in government social policies.
The overall implementation of the MBG reflects a government work pattern that is pro-people and results-oriented. With increasingly transparent governance, solid cross-agency coordination, and a commitment to quality, the government demonstrates that pro-people policies can coexist with the principles of efficiency and accountability. The MBG program is proof that the state is truly present to concretely improve the welfare of its people, from the dinner table of Indonesian children to the future of the nation.
)* Strategic Issues Observer
