HKTI assesses free nutritious meals programme as improving public nutrition and farmer welfare

The Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme is assessed as aiding the improvement of public nutrition while simultaneously enhancing farmer welfare and opening new economic opportunities in various regions, according to the Indonesian Farmers’ Harmony Association (HKTI). HKTI’s Daily Chair, Bachtiar Utomo, stated that the programme has a direct impact on human resource quality whilst providing economic benefits to the community. “The Free Nutritious Meals programme is very good for helping to meet the nutritional needs of school children. This programme also supports pregnant women and toddlers, thus helping to reduce stunting rates and improve public health quality,” Bachtiar said in an official statement received in Jakarta on Friday. He noted that the demand for foodstuffs to support the MBG programme has increased the absorption of agricultural, livestock, and fishery products, thereby opening wider market opportunities for farmers and local food business operators. “The higher the food demand for the MBG programme, the greater the volume of farmers’ produce that is absorbed. The impact is certainly very positive on farmers’ income and welfare,” he stated. Beyond increasing the absorption of agricultural produce, the MBG programme is also deemed to have the potential to create new jobs through activities involving food supply, food processing, distribution, and kitchen operations. The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) reported that as of 22 May 2026, the MBG programme had absorbed approximately 1.28 million workers through the operation of 29,225 Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG) across various regions. The programme was also recorded to involve 142,387 suppliers. Of that number, 59,921 are micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), 13,306 are cooperatives, 690 are Merah Putih Village/Sub-district Cooperatives (KDKMP), 1,410 are Village-Owned Enterprises (BUMDes), and 157 are Joint Village-Owned Enterprises (BUMDesma). The other 66,903 suppliers consist of various foodstuff providers and other support services. According to Bachtiar, the MBG programme delivers a multiplier effect on regional economies because it involves farmers, ranchers, fishermen, MSMEs, and service business operators in the national food supply chain. “This programme not only provides nutritious food to the community but also drives regional economies. There are farmers whose harvests are absorbed, MSMEs that are growing, and jobs that are created,” he said. Furthermore, HKTI believes the MBG programme can become an important instrument in building a healthy and strong Indonesian generation whilst strengthening national food security and regional economies. “Children receive good nutrition, farmers become more prosperous, regional economies move, and ultimately national food security becomes stronger,” concluded Bachtiar.