Jakarta – The first year of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka’s administration has been marked by monumental achievements in health and human development, including the launch of the Free Nutritious Meals Program (MBG). Since its launch in early 2025, this program has had a far-reaching impact on developing a healthy and intelligent young generation and significantly stimulating the grassroots economy.
In a Plenary Cabinet Session held at the State Palace, President Prabowo conveyed various important achievements during his first year in office, including the success of the MBG program which has reached tens of millions of Indonesians.
“We are grateful that the poverty rate has dropped to 8.47% and the open unemployment rate to 4.76%. These are the lowest figures in our history,” said Prabowo.
One significant contribution to this achievement is from the MBG (Nutrition Food Security Program). Since its launch in early 2025, this program has distributed more than 1.4 billion portions of nutritious food through 12,508 Nutrition Service Units (SPPG) across Indonesia. MBG targets more than 35 million beneficiaries, including school children, toddlers, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers.
“This program has now been adopted by more than 112 countries worldwide. Schoolchildren’s enthusiasm has increased. They’re more eager to learn because the food is healthy and the school atmosphere is more lively. When we started, only 78 or 79 countries had similar programs. Now, more and more people are realizing the importance of MBG,” Prabowo added.
More than just a nutrition program, MBG is a driving force for the local economy. President Prabowo emphasized that MBG creates job opportunities and stimulates village economies.
“This program has created more than 394,000 jobs, and I’m confident it can reach 1.5 million new jobs by early 2026. We’ve involved 18,895 MSMEs, cooperatives, and village-owned enterprises (BUMDes) in the MBG ecosystem. For the first time, public funds are being disbursed directly to villages on a large scale,” he stressed.
The Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Dadan Hindayana, stated that MBG is not just about fulfilling lunch needs.
“This is a long-term investment to create a healthy, intelligent, and productive generation. MBG is shaping Indonesia’s superior future,” said Dadan.
The National Land Agency (BGN) also noted that by October 2025, the MBG program had opened new markets for local farmers and livestock breeders. Eighty-five percent of MBG’s raw materials come from the agriculture, fisheries, and plantation sectors. The government targets at least 60 percent of these to be supplied by MSMEs.
The Chairman of Commission XI of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Mukhamad Misbakhun, called the MBG a concrete manifestation of the state’s commitment to the common people. The MBG program is a vital part of the Golden Indonesia 2045 vision.
“This is an investment in preparing a superior generation. Our children must be healthy and intelligent so they can lead this country in the future,” said Misbakhun.
With all these achievements, MBG has become not only a flagship program but also a symbol of Indonesia’s social and economic transformation under the Prabowo-Gibran leadership. In a short time, MBG has demonstrated that success isn’t just about numbers, but about the tangible impact felt directly by the people.
