President Prabowo Subianto highlighted the success of Indonesia’s Makan Bergizi Gratis (Free Nutritious Meal, MBG) program during the Annual Session of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) in Jakarta. The program, which has been running for eight months, has benefited 20 million recipients, including school children, preschoolers, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers. With 5,800 Nutritional Service Units (Satuan Pelayanan Pemenuhan Gizi, SPPG) established across 38 provinces, the MBG program has created 290,000 jobs and engaged one million farmers, fishers, livestock breeders, and small and medium-sized enterprises.
President Prabowo emphasized that the MBG program goes beyond social welfare, serving as a strategic initiative to nurture a healthy, intelligent, and productive generation. The positive impact of the program is already evident through increased school attendance and academic performance. Despite being in its early stages, Indonesia’s achievements with the MBG program have outpaced many other nations, such as Brazil, which took 11 years to reach a similar level of success.
The President highlighted the importance of investing in programs like MBG, as recognized by the United Nations. The Annual Session, attended by leaders of state institutions, members of the DPR and Regional Representative Council (DPD), and the entire cabinet, showcased the significant progress and potential for further growth in Indonesia’s efforts to provide free nutritious meals to those in need.
