Support Food Security Through the Free Nutritious Meal Program
By: Soraya Riza )*
The Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) initiated by the government of President Prabowo Subianto has become a real step in strengthening national food security while improving public welfare. Through this policy, the government not only ensures that people’s nutritional needs are met, but also supports local economic growth by utilizing domestic food resources.
National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo explained that his party has contributed to supporting the MBG program by utilizing productive land to plant various types of food crops, including rice and corn. The government has shown its commitment to supporting this program by involving various parties, including the TNI-Polri and the private sector.
The National Police recruits personnel who have special expertise in the fields of agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries, as well as public health and nutrition. This step shows a strong synergy between state institutions in supporting national food security.
In addition, the National Police Chief emphasized that the success of the TNI-Polri in various national and international agendas throughout 2024 has had a positive impact on the national economy. The dual effect of this success is expected to continue to be optimized in 2025 to support government programs, including MBG. The synergy and solidarity between the TNI and Polri will certainly continue to be strengthened in order to achieve the great ideals of Indonesia Emas 2045.
Support for this program also came from community organizations. Deputy Chairperson of Pemuda Pancasila, Bambang Soesatyo (Bamsoet), said that Pemuda Pancasila fully supports government policies in realizing food security. Food security is not only about the availability of food ingredients, but also includes accessibility, sustainability of natural resources, and the availability of nutritious nutrition. An approach involving various sectors, from agriculture to education, is very important to achieve this goal.
Bamsoet added that food security has a strategic role in maintaining national economic stability. The agricultural sector, as one of the main pillars of the Indonesian economy, is able to absorb more than 28 percent of the national workforce. With the support of policies such as MBG, this sector is expected to increase its productivity and provide better welfare for farmers.
Furthermore, Bamsoet highlighted the importance of diversifying food sources to reduce dependence on one type of commodity. Developing local food potential, such as tubers and vegetables, not only helps strengthen food security but also increases the nutritional diversity of the community. Thus, the MBG program is expected to be a solution to nutritional problems in the community and improve the quality of life of the younger generation.
Not only that, the private sector also plays a role in supporting the MBG program. PT Berdikari, as part of the ID FOOD Group, is committed to maintaining national food security with various strategic initiatives. General Manager of Corporate Secretary & Social Responsibility of PT Berdikari, Hasbi Al-Islahi, explained that his party had developed Garut Dorper Commercial Cross (GDCC) F2 sheep as an alternative source of national meat. This sheep has advantages in terms of high weight growth and resistance to disease, so it can be a solution to increase the supply of meat in Indonesia.
In addition, PT Berdikari is also expanding its market share to Eastern Indonesia through strategic cooperation with PT Pelni in providing food raw materials. This collaboration shows that the private sector can play an important role in supporting government programs to ensure the availability of sufficient and nutritious food for the community.
The steps taken by various parties show that the MBG program is not just a social policy, but also part of a broader national development strategy. With the synergy between the government, the community, and the private sector, this program is expected to provide sustainable benefits for all levels of society.
The success of this program is not only measured by the number of beneficiaries covered, but also by its impact on the local economy. By involving farmers, ranchers, and fishermen in providing food, MBG provides significant economic opportunities for communities in various regions. This is in line with the government’s efforts to encourage inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
