Irma Suryani: MBG Successfully Empowers Local Economy
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 community’s economy.
“The MBG programme not only improves public 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 ingredients, 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) kitchens.
This serves as one piece of evidence that the MBG programme empowers the local economy, due to the involvement of the community in the supply chain for various needs of the partner kitchens of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN).
“I hope that the sources of food ingredients for the MBG programme continue to prioritise UMKM as well as the production outputs of local farmers or communities,” she stated.
She explained that involving UMKM not only supports the success of the MBG programme but also drives economic growth at the village and sub-district levels.
“In this way, the MBG programme not only benefits children, the elderly, pregnant women, and other recipients but also opens up economic opportunities for village and sub-district communities. Economic circulation can occur locally, allowing local businesses to grow,” she revealed.
In addition, Irma also highlighted the importance of supervision in the programme’s implementation, 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 public participation plays a significant role in the success of the MBG programme to realise 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) in 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 for the quality of Indonesia’s human resources in the future, said Nurya.
The Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme is one of the government’s strategic steps to improve the nutritional status of vulnerable groups while also mobilising the local economy.