Free Nutritious Meal Program: Human Resource Investment Towards Golden Indonesia 2045
Jakarta – The Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) initiated by the Prabowo-Gibran government is a strategic step in improving the quality of Indonesian Human Resources (HR). This program aims to provide sufficient nutritional intake for students from PAUD, SD, SMP, to SMA levels, as well as pregnant and lactating mothers.
A nutrition expert from the Bogor Agricultural Institute (IPB), Prof. Ali Khomsan, stated that MBG is a major effort that will be carried out nationally to build a healthy and intelligent generation.
According to Prof. Ali Khomsan, this program has an important role in reducing stunting rates which have been a serious problem in Indonesia.
“One of the reasons why a nutrition program like this is important is because the issue of stunting has become a national issue since 2019. Based on the 2023 Indonesian Health Survey (SKI), the problem of stunting not only occurs in toddlers, but is also found in school-age children with a prevalence rate reaching 18-23%,” he said.
In its implementation, the MBG program faces major challenges. Currently, only around 600,000 children have received MBG benefits, out of a target of 82 million recipients. The government is targeting that by August 2025, this program can reach up to 15 million children, with the hope that maximum coverage can be achieved by the end of the year.
Compared to similar programs in other countries such as Thailand and Malaysia, MBG in Indonesia has a wider coverage. In Thailand and Malaysia, school nutrition programs are more focused on providing milk, while in Indonesia, MBG provides complete meals.
“In the United States, the school nutrition program has been running since 1946 and still exists today. This shows that sustainability is very important to ensure long-term benefits,” added Prof. Ali.
Another challenge faced in implementing MBG is the management system that still needs to be improved. Currently, food is prepared by vendors who must serve around 3,000 students per kitchen. In addition, logistics, distribution, and waste management factors are aspects that must be considered. “Periodic formative evaluation is needed to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of this program,” he said.
Prof. Ali Khomsan emphasized that this program is a long-term investment for Indonesian human resources.
“Improvements in nutrition cannot be seen in one or two years, but rather require a longer time to show a significant impact on children’s physical growth and academic achievement. Therefore, the sustainability and consistency of this program must be maintained so that its benefits can be felt optimally in the future,” he concluded.
With all the challenges that exist, MBG remains a great hope in creating a superior generation that is ready to welcome Indonesia Emas 2045. It is hoped that this program can continue to be evaluated and improved so that it truly provides optimal benefits for the wider community. []
