Agriculture Minister: MBG Becomes Offtaker for 165 Million Indonesian Farmers
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Agriculture Minister and Head of the National Food Agency Andi Amran Sulaiman has affirmed that the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme has become an absorber of production from around 165 million farmers across Indonesia.
He stressed that the programme does not stand alone but forms an integral part of the national agricultural ecosystem, directly connecting farmers’ production to societal consumption needs.
“Do not view MBG in isolation. This is the key point. MBG acts as an offtaker for 165 million farmers. I repeat, MBG’s establishment serves as an offtaker for Indonesia’s 165 million farmers,” the Minister said after a discussion with several Student Executive Boards (BEM) from various universities across Indonesia in Jakarta on Wednesday.
According to him, the existence of MBG, one of President Prabowo Subianto’s flagship programmes, provides market certainty for farmers, ensuring that production is optimally absorbed without concerns over oversupply that could depress producer prices.
Amran stated that these positive impacts also contribute to the growth of the agriculture and livestock sectors, which have seen increases alongside rising demand from the government programme.
He added that the benefits of the programme are not only felt by farmers but also by the younger generation, who receive better nutrition, enabling them to become healthier, smarter, and more productive in the future.
The MBG programme targets various beneficiary groups, from schoolchildren to pregnant women, as part of efforts to build superior and competitive human resources.
He further emphasised that the programme’s implementation has no political interests but is purely aimed at improving public welfare and preparing a stronger next generation for the nation.
“Primary school children and those in the womb are the ones we provide MBG to. The 2029 election has no connection. True? They can’t vote in 2029, right? This means it’s truly for the Indonesian people, to prepare a tougher, smarter young generation,” the Minister said.
It will make our children smart in the future, full of nutrition. Then, the economy will circulate in the villages. The market will thrive, and the people will directly benefit.