Agriculture Minister Ensures Safe Food Supply to Support Free Nutritious Meals Programme
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman has assured the availability of national food supplies to support the free nutritious meals (MBG) programme, ensuring sustainable and equitable fulfilment of the nation’s generational needs across all regions of Indonesia.
“With increased production and strong reserves, we ensure safe food stocks to support the major needs of the MBG programme,” said the Minister during a meeting with the Central Board of the Indonesian Association of Free Nutritious Meals Entrepreneurs and Managers (APPDMBGI), as per a statement received in Jakarta on Tuesday.
The Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) has ensured full readiness in supporting the implementation of MBG through strengthening production, distribution, and stabilisation of national food supplies.
Amran emphasised that MBG is not merely a food assistance programme, but a strategic government initiative that directly impacts the improvement of human resource quality as well as the strengthening of the people’s economy.
“This is not just aid, but a major investment for the nation’s future. Its impact is broad, from nutritional improvements to stimulating regional economies,” he stated.
“Tens of millions of beneficiaries will drive massive production of rice, chicken, eggs, and vegetables. This will revitalise village economies,” he added.
He affirmed that the programme’s readiness is supported by strong national production and food reserve conditions. The current national rice reserve has reached over 4.5 million tonnes, one of the highest levels in recent years.
“With increased production and strong reserves, we ensure safe food stocks to support the major needs of the MBG programme,” he reiterated.
To ensure the programme’s smooth running, Kementan has prepared strategic steps from upstream to downstream, starting with guaranteeing the availability of food raw materials, strengthening distribution to MBG kitchens, maintaining price stability, and encouraging the involvement of farmers and local businesses.
“Collaboration is key. The government, businesses, and society must move together for this programme to run optimally,” he stressed.
In the meeting, APPDMBGI reported that it has been established in 38 provinces and hundreds of regencies/cities, with a growing network of kitchens across Indonesia.
“If our children are healthy and well-nourished, they will become a strong generation in the future. This is the foundation towards an advanced Indonesia,” he said.
He also reminded the importance of maintaining fairness in the business ecosystem, particularly between large and small players.
“The big ones should not pressure the small ones. SMEs must be nurtured and strengthened. This is a people’s programme, and its benefits must be felt together,” he stated.
Kementan is optimistic that with cross-sectoral support, increased production, and strong national rice reserves, MBG will run sustainably and become a key pillar in strengthening national food security as well as improving public welfare.