Government preparing framework to involve MSMEs in supplying food for free meals programme

Makassar (ANTARA) — The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises is preparing a framework to involve MSMEs in supplying food ingredients for the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme.

“Badan Gizi Nasional (BGN), under its head Sudaryono, is currently carrying out an internal restructuring. Later, it will work together with us at the Ministry of MSMEs,” MSME Minister Maman Abdurrahman said in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Sunday.

Alongside BGN’s internal restructuring, the ministry is drawing up the best formula for MSMEs to support the MBG programme launched by President Prabowo Subianto, so that it can run effectively and reach its intended beneficiaries.

“The Ministry of MSMEs is also preparing a framework to encourage the broadest possible participation by MSMEs,” Maman said.

Maman said more than 68,000 MSMEs were already supplying food, eggs and other ingredients to kitchens operated by Nutrition Service Fulfilment Units (SPPG) across Indonesia. The supplies, he said, came from local businesses that had been registered in their respective regions.

“This means they have been included, but we believe participation still needs to increase beyond the target of 68,000, so that as many MSMEs as possible can take part. We are preparing the framework,” he said.

Under President Prabowo Subianto’s instructions, all members of the Red and White Cabinet serving alongside Vice-President Gibran Rakabuming Raka are required to give significant attention to the people’s economy.

According to 2024 data from the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs, Indonesia has 64.2 million MSME business units, accounting for about 99.99 per cent of all businesses in the country.

The MSME sector is said to employ around 123 million people, or about 97 per cent of the national workforce. MSMEs are considered a key pillar in efforts to reduce unemployment.