BGN: MBG Continues to be Strengthened, Becoming the New Economic Driver

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - The Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme continues to be strengthened by the government and is beginning to show economic impacts. This is in line with increased activity in supporting sectors such as the food supply chain and equipment industries.

Deputy Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) for Public Communication and Investigation, Nanik S Deyang, emphasised that the MBG programme is not only focused on fulfilling nutrition. It also serves as an economic driver and a learning space.

“MBG is a laboratory for universities. All faculties can get involved and take roles according to their fields,” she said during the BGN Goes to Campus event at Hasanuddin University (Unhas) in Makassar on Tuesday (5/5/2026).

She added that the programme is driven by the basic needs of the community for access to decent food. According to her, many Indonesian citizens still do not have their food needs properly met.

“There are still many of our fellow citizens who cannot eat well. This is the main spirit of the MBG programme,” she stated.

In addition, BGN is opening opportunities for higher education institutions to actively participate in the programme’s implementation, including through academic contributions and field activities. Nanik also highlighted the economic impacts that are starting to be felt from the MBG implementation.

“Money is circulating in society, this is a very important economic effect,” she said.

Nevertheless, she reminded that there are still several challenges, such as limitations in the supply of certain food ingredients and the dominance of large industries in some sectors. Therefore, strengthening local production and readiness of human resources become key to the programme’s sustainability.

Meanwhile, Unhas expressed its support for the MBG programme, including through the readiness of facilities, research, and the development of local food ingredients. The MBG programme is part of the government’s efforts to improve the nutritional quality of the community while encouraging economic activity in various regions.