Community Economy Grows Thanks to Free Nutritious Meal Program

Jakarta – The Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG), which is one of the priority policies of the government of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, has proven to have a significant impact on community economic growth, especially in rural areas. This program not only aims to increase community nutritional intake, but also drives the local economy with more even money circulation at the village and sub-district levels.

President Prabowo Subianto emphasized that MBG is able to drive national economic growth because the allocated budget circulates directly in the community.

“The MBG program is expected to increase growth in all regions. Because money circulates in villages, sub-districts, and regencies,” he said.

President Prabowo also emphasized that the national economy is currently under control with a low inflation rate and economic growth that remains above the world average.

“Our inflation is one of the lowest in the world today, our growth is also expected to remain above the world average. Almost all sectors are running under control,” said the President.

The positive impact of MBG was also conveyed by the Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), Hashim Djojohadikusumo. According to him, the additional budget for this program has the potential to increase national economic growth by up to two percent.

“With spending IDR 71 trillion for free food, it will add 0.83 percent to economic growth. With an additional IDR 100 trillion, their prognosis (Bappenas) is an additional two percent growth,” Hashim explained in Jakarta.

Meanwhile, Member of Commission IX of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Muazzim Akbar, also highlighted how MBG is able to improve the village economy through more even money circulation. According to him, spending on MBG needs should be done through village-owned enterprises (Bumdes) to ensure that the economic benefits can be enjoyed by the local community.

“This program, in addition to being able to increase nutritional intake for the nation’s children, also directly improves the quality of the regional economy, especially rural communities,” he said on the sidelines of the MBG program socialization in East Praya, Central Lombok Regency, NTB.

The MBG program has had a real impact on the local economy by increasing demand for food. Every day, this program requires around 82 million eggs, chicken meat, rice, and other food ingredients obtained from domestic producers. Thus, farmers, livestock breeders, and small business actors in the regions feel the direct benefits of this policy.

In addition to encouraging economic turnover, MBG also opens up new business opportunities and creates jobs for local communities. With the obligation of the village government to support this program through an allocation of 20 percent of the Village Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBDes), the involvement of all parties is the key to MBG’s success in improving community welfare.

With such broad benefits, the MBG Program is expected to not only be a solution to community nutrition problems, but also an important instrument in strengthening the people’s economy and increasing Indonesia’s competitiveness in the global arena. {}