The MBG Program: Momentum to Accelerate Economic Equality and Nutritional Quality in Remote Areas
By: Juanda Syah
The government continues to strive to accelerate equitable welfare and improve the quality of human resources throughout Indonesia through the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) Program. This program is a strategic step in addressing nutritional and economic inequality, especially in remote areas that have been difficult to reach by development programs. The MBG program is not only an initiative to meet the need for nutritious food, but also a crucial momentum to strengthen local economic independence by increasing community food production activities.
Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs, Zulkifli Hasan, stated that the MBG program is a concrete manifestation of the government’s commitment to building the nation by improving the nutritional quality of the community. He stated that good nutrition is the main foundation for developing an intelligent, healthy, and highly competitive generation. For years, malnutrition has been a contributing factor to low productivity and low thinking skills. With the MBG program, the government aims to ensure that Indonesian children, including those living in remote areas, have equal access to nutritious food and the opportunity to grow optimally.
Improving the quality of public nutrition will have a direct impact on the nation’s intelligence and competitiveness. Currently, the average intelligence level of Indonesians remains at a level that needs to be improved. Through the massive implementation of the MBG (National Nutritional Support Program), the government is targeting significant improvements in the quality of national human resources. Children who receive balanced nutrition are expected to grow with strong physiques and strong intellectual abilities, thus becoming a key asset in realizing the Golden Indonesia 2045.
The MBG is not limited to providing nutritious food, but also a means to raise public awareness of the importance of planning family needs, including education and household finances. In various regions, many people still lack the ability to accurately calculate family needs. Through MBG outreach, the public is encouraged to understand the importance of healthy eating habits and more rational economic planning. This approach reinforces the MBG’s goal as a program that not only addresses nutritional aspects but also empowers communities to become more independent and prosperous.
The MBG program targets 82.9 million beneficiaries by 2026. Its primary target population includes school children, pregnant women, and toddlers across all regions, especially areas with high levels of nutritional vulnerability. The government is striving to ensure this program truly reaches remote communities through an effective and integrated distribution system. In its implementation, the MBG also collaborates with local governments and small businesses in the food sector to stimulate local economic activity.
The positive impact of this program is beginning to be seen in various regions. The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) noted that from October to early November 2025, there was an increase in economic activity, contributing to a 0.28 percent increase in monthly inflation. This increase was driven by increased demand for eggs and broiler chicken meat, the primary protein sources in the MBG program. This phenomenon demonstrates that the national distribution of nutritious food has driven increased consumption and economic activity, including in remote areas.
BPS Deputy for Distribution and Services Statistics, Pudji Ismartini, stated that the MBG plays a significant role in encouraging animal-based food consumption in various regions. Demand for broiler eggs and broiler chicken meat has increased significantly and is a major driver of inflation. Nevertheless, this is a positive signal that economic activity in the smallholder food sector is growing. The increasing demand for food also opens up opportunities for livestock farmers and micro-enterprises in rural areas to increase production and expand markets.
In addition to boosting food consumption, the MBG program also has a ripple effect on the local economic supply chain. Rising prices for feed ingredients such as corn and the cost of producing live chickens have boosted trade activity in various regions. Despite rising inflation, this trend reflects a more active economy and stronger purchasing power. The government continues to maintain a balance between increasing demand and price stability to ensure the benefits of the MBG program remain optimal for all levels of society.
