President Prabowo Subianto has stated that the Free Nutritious Meal\n(MBG) programme is a significant investment aimed at enhancing the\nquality of human resources by ensuring children\u2019s nutritional needs are\nmet and supporting economic growth in villages.<\/p>\n
According to a statement from the Presidential Secretariat released\nin Jakarta on Wednesday, the President made these remarks during his\nspeech at the \u2018Building Indonesia\u2019s Future Generations Through\nNutrition\u2019 event held at the Sentul International Convention Centre\n(SICC) in Bogor, West Java.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe concept of this free nutritious meal programme is very simple:\nwe have found that some of our children go to school every morning\nwithout having breakfast. In fact, they rarely consume nutritious food\nat home,\u201d said Prabowo.<\/p>\n
The Head of State explained that malnutrition in children can impact\ntheir growth and their ability to reach their full potential. Such\nconditions are still prevalent in several regions, where malnutrition\nrates are notably high. The President highlighted that some areas face\nmalnutrition rates of over 20 per cent, approaching 30 per cent, which\nis a primary factor contributing to stunting.<\/p>\n
Prabowo noted that the impact of malnutrition extends beyond health,\nas it can limit children\u2019s opportunities to excel in education and\nfuture employment. He shared that he witnessed these conditions\nfirsthand while interacting with communities in various regions.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis means, firstly, they will not develop according to their\npotential as normal human beings, meaning their abilities will be below\nnormal. We find that they may even struggle to graduate from primary\nschool. They might not even be able to succeed in the occupations of\ntheir parents, such as farmers, daily labourers, or fishermen,\u201d\nPrabently added.<\/p>\n
Consequently, the President emphasised that the National Nutrition\nAgency (BGN) and the MBG programme play a strategic role in supporting\nvulnerable communities and strengthening the quality of the nation\u2019s\nfuture generations, noting that several developed nations have\nimplemented similar programmes to improve welfare and human resource\nquality.<\/p>\n
Beyond health and education benefits, the President added that the\nMBG programme will have a broad economic impact reaching down to the\nvillage level. Through the operation of MBG kitchens, the produce of\nlocal farmers and entrepreneurs can be absorbed, thereby increasing\ncommunity welfare.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf the kitchens are successful and these programmes run correctly,\nthe village economy will thrive. Farmers\u2019 incomes will increase, they\nwill no longer be disrupted by middlemen, they will have a guarantee\nthat their hard work and produce will be absorbed and purchased,\nallowing them to lead better lives,\u201d the President said.<\/p>\n
Prabowo believes that the optimal implementation of the MBG programme\nwill reach tens of millions of beneficiaries and create millions of new\njobs. He expressed confidence that at its peak, the programme could\nserve between 83 million to 85 million people through 30,000 kitchens,\npotentially generating 1.5 million formal jobs and another 1.5 million\nreal jobs within the rural economy, totaling 3 million jobs. \u201cThe\ncirculation of money in the villages will be very large. Therefore, my\nbrothers and sisters, I am sure and I believe this programme will\nsucceed,\u201d concluded Prabowo Subianto.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/president-free-nutritious-meal-programme-is-a-major-investment-in-the-nations-future-supporting-rural-economy-1780843617", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }