Indonesian Parliament: MBG Programme Empowers Local Economy
Palembang (ANTARA) - Member of Commission IX of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia (DPR RI) Irma Suryani stated that the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme empowers the local economy of communities.
“The MBG programme not only improves community welfare by providing adequate nutritional reinforcement but also empowers the local economy,” said Irma Suryani in Palembang on Tuesday, after conducting an inspection and socialisation of the MBG programme in several areas of South Sumatra.
According to her, the sources of food, fruits, proteins, and nutrition for MBG come from micro, small, and medium enterprises (UMKM) as well as the production outputs of communities around the Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG).
This is one piece of evidence that the MBG programme empowers the local economy, due to the involvement of communities in the supply chain for various needs of the kitchens partnered with the National Nutrition Agency (BGN).
“I hope that the sourcing of food materials for the MBG programme continues to prioritise UMKM as well as the production outputs of local farmers or communities,” she said.
“In this way, the MBG programme not only benefits children, the elderly, pregnant women, and other recipients but also opens economic opportunities for village and sub-district communities. Economic circulation can occur locally, allowing local businesses to develop,” she explained.
In addition, Irma also highlighted the importance of supervision in the implementation of the programme, particularly regarding the operations of SPPG kitchens as the central processing hubs for MBG.
Therefore, she invited the entire community to jointly monitor and oversee the implementation of SPPG kitchens so that MBG processing runs well, cleanly, and transparently.
“Active community participation plays a significant role in the success of the MBG programme towards realising Indonesia’s golden generation that is healthy, intelligent, and prosperous,” explained Commission IX DPR RI member Irma Suryani.
Previously, the Head of the Nutrition Fulfilment Service Office (KPPG) Palembang, Nurya Hartika Sari, stated that the MBG programme is designed as a major national effort to ensure every child grows strong and healthy through regular nutritious food intake.
With good nutritional fulfilment being a determining factor in the quality of Indonesia’s human resources in the future, said Nurya.