DPR Urges BGN to Focus on Free Nutritious Meals, Cut Non-Essential Procurement

A member of Commission IX of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Cellica Nurrachadiana, has suggested that the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) reduce non-essential procurement and focus on the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme. ‘Procurement should be reduced slightly amid our difficult economy. The hope is that this programme is focused on the MBG first, because previously there were procurements that were not quite right, so today we can focus on MBG in underdeveloped, frontier, and outermost (3T) regions that have stunting issues first, as well as areas that really want MBG,’ she said during a podcast monitored in Jakarta on Monday.

According to her, the MBG programme represents the biggest turning point for human resource development in Indonesia, as human development inherently requires a longer time than physical development. Cellica emphasised that the programme can address stunting in the future and ensure that Indonesian human resources have good outcomes, such as healthy bodies, intelligent minds, and stable mental and emotional states.

‘So one of the solutions is MBG. Despite the pros and cons, the public’s enthusiasm for MBG is very good, they are even happy, to the point that some are asking why MBG is not yet available in their area,’ she said. ‘For example, if someone is bored with the menu, there needs to be a communication role between the SPPG and the school. The food does not only have to be what they like, but it must be nutritious,’ she added.

In an effort to reduce stunting through MBG, Cellica noted that regions have posyandu and family planning cadres who are widely distributed to educate the community. ‘These cadres are numerous, and they have been helping us in the regions to accurately inform about stunting. The potential for stunting occurs in the first 1,000 days of life, and it can even be prevented starting from women of reproductive age who are given iron tablets,’ she explained.