Free meals program boosts agri commodity absorption: deputy minister

“On behalf of our farmers, I must say that the MBG has a significant impact on absorbing our agricultural commodities,” he said at the National Conference on Local Economic Development in Jakarta on Monday.

He pointed out that before the MBG program was implemented, commodities like carrots, tomatoes, and milk frequently suffered from oversupply and went to waste.

According to him, the rising demand driven by the free meals program has also stimulated investment in the livestock sector, particularly in dairy farming.

“We are starting to see a lot of investment now. There is already an investment of up to 20,000 cattle in Brebes District, as well as investment in Central Kalimantan,” Sudaryono noted.

He further said that MBG serves as a new market capable of broadly absorbing various food commodities.

In addition to meeting recipients’ nutritional needs, the program also stimulated economic activity in the agricultural and fisheries sectors, including in the areas surrounding the MBG kitchens.

However, he acknowledged that there are still shortcomings in the program’s implementation, underscoring the need to further strengthen oversight.

The deputy minister emphasized that MBG kitchens must prioritize using local agricultural products to support the local economy. Therefore, he urged the public to report should they find kitchens that have yet to utilize local commodities.

Targeting 82.9 million beneficiaries nationwide, the MBG program was launched in early 2025 to improve the nutritional status of children under five, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and schoolchildren up to the high school level.

Related news: Indonesia’s free meal program reaches 62.45 million people

Related news: Ministry assists MBG kitchens with food safety system knowledges

Translator: Shofi Ayudiana, Raka Adji