The MBG programme can serve as a market buffer. When egg production\nis abundant and prices fall, the state intervenes through absorption to\nmaintain price equilibrium and protect farmers.<\/p>\n
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Academic from the Faculty of Economics and\nBusiness at Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY),\nProf.\u00a0Dr.\u00a0Imamudin Yuliadi, believes that increasing egg consumption\nthrough the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme can help mitigate the\nimpact of excess layer chicken egg production at the farmer level.<\/p>\n
The increased egg consumption in the MBG programme can provide a\nshort-term solution to assist layer chicken farmers who have recently\nfaced declining producer prices due to overproduction.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe MBG programme can act as a market buffer. When egg production is\nabundant and prices drop, the state steps in through an absorption\nscheme to maintain price balance while protecting farmers,\u201d said\nProf.\u00a0Imamudin in a statement in Jakarta on Friday.<\/p>\n
Previously, the Ministry of Agriculture has encouraged the\noptimisation of egg use in MBG menus as part of a strategy to keep layer\nchicken egg prices stable at the farmer level.<\/p>\n
He further stated that if egg absorption through MBG yields positive\nimpacts, the same could apply to other commodities such as rice,\nvegetables, salt, spices, and meat.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf the egg phenomenon can occur, then other commodities can also\nbenefit. This is a positive signal for the programme. From an economic\nperspective, there is a tangible multiplier effect,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
This impact is considered important because the MBG programme can\nbridge students\u2019 nutritional needs with strengthening the people\u2019s\neconomy through the absorption of local products from farmers, livestock\nbreeders, fishermen, and SMEs.<\/p>\n
However, the government is urged to provide stronger communication to\nthe market so that MBG implementation does not instead trigger new\nspeculation regarding potential rises in staple goods prices due to\nincreased national demand for food items.<\/p>\n
According to him, the economic impact of MBG cannot be generalised\nbecause each region has different market characteristics. In areas with\nstrong production bases, the programme could strengthen the local\neconomy. Conversely, in regions with limited supply, mitigation is\nneeded to prevent price distortions.<\/p>\n
Therefore, a comprehensive evaluation is deemed essential, involving\ncommunity elements such as universities, community organisations, local\ngovernments, and local business actors.<\/p>\n
This evaluation should cover the implementation chain from upstream\nto downstream, starting from raw material procurement, distribution,\nprocessing, to the food reaching students\u2019 hands.<\/p>\n
This step is considered crucial to identify vulnerable points that\ncould disrupt programme quality or budget efficiency.<\/p>\n
In addition to technical aspects, academic studies are needed to\nmeasure the multiplier effect of MBG on increasing income for farmers,\nfishermen, market traders, and SMEs.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf managed properly, the benefits of MBG are not only for students.\nThis programme can drive regional economic growth, create jobs, and\nstrengthen national food security,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, the government is urged to be more proactive in\nexplaining the economic impacts of the programme to the public to\nprevent wild speculation, including allegations that MBG enlarges the\nstate debt.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe public needs rational explanations. If the government can\nexplain well, the public will surely respond positively,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n
According to him, the state debt issue must be placed in the context\nof national fiscal policy.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe debt phenomenon is a reality for developing countries because we\nadhere to deficit budget politics. The question is not whether there is\ndebt or not, but what the deficit is allocated for and what its impact\nis on society,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He believes the public\u2019s logic is actually simple: the government\njust needs to show evidence of the programme\u2019s benefits.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf there are accusations that MBG enlarges debt, the response must\nbe data-based. To what extent MBG improves student health, learning\nconcentration, academic performance, physical health, and to what extent\nthis programme absorbs local commodities and improves the welfare of\nfarmers, breeders, and fishermen. That is what the government needs to\nexplain,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n
Therefore, MBG is seen as unable to operate in isolation. The\nprogramme requires cross-sectoral synergy to maximise its benefits.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis programme must be collaborated with other sectors. There must\nbe shared perceptions and joint steps between central and local\ngovernments, the business world, academia, and society for greater\nimpact,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He views this collaboration as important for strengthening the food\nsupply chain and maintaining distribution efficiency.<\/p>\n
With strong public communication, strict oversight, and\ncross-sectoral synergy, MBG is considered to have the potential to\nbecome one of the nation\u2019s strategic programmes that not only enhances\nthe quality of Indonesia\u2019s young generation but also serves as an engine\nfor the people\u2019s economy from villages to the national level.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/academic-views-mbg-programme-as-buffer-for-excess-chicken-egg-production-1778824495", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }