BGN: MBG Creates a Large Market and Incentives for the Livestock Sector

Deputy Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Sony Sonjaya, has stated that the Free Nutritious Meals Programme (MBG) has the potential to become the main driver of transformation in the national livestock sector. He conveyed this during the second day of the International Strategic Meeting on Scientific Pathways for Sustainable Livestock Industry Transformation at the BRIN Office in Jakarta on Saturday (28/3). In a statement from Jakarta on Monday, Sony mentioned that the government is directly funding the procurement of food raw materials, including livestock products such as milk, meat, and eggs, used in every kitchen or Nutrition Fulfilment Service Unit (SPPG) through the MBG scheme. “Funding for raw materials by MBG creates certainty of demand, thereby encouraging production and investment in the livestock sector,” said Sony. Sony emphasised that MBG will form a captive market on a very large scale for animal protein commodities. The programme is projected to create demand for billions of kilograms of milk and other livestock products, which will significantly reshape the structure of the livestock and dairy industry in Indonesia. “This is a major leap that has never happened before in the history of Indonesian livestock development,” he asserted. To achieve this, Sony underlined several challenges that need to be anticipated so that the opportunities can be optimally utilised. These challenges include increasing production capacity to meet the surge in demand, distribution issues and price disparities between regions, as well as food safety concerns. In addition, dependency on imports of feed raw materials and certain products is also a concern, alongside the need for farmer regeneration and improved welfare for livestock farmers to ensure the sector remains sustainable. According to him, the success of this programme will greatly depend on cross-sectoral synergy, including support for research and innovation, strengthening policies, and collaboration between the government, industry, and livestock business actors. “If managed well, MBG will not only improve the nutritional status of the community but also become a driving force for an inclusive and sustainable livestock-based economy,” stated Sony Sonjaya.