Lampung Provincial Government Urges MBG Kitchens to Source Local Produce from Farmers, Ranchers, and MSMEs
INFO TEMPO - The Lampung Provincial Government is committed to supporting the Free Nutritious Meal Programme (MBG) as a strategic instrument to improve the quality of human resources while promoting rural economic equality.
This was conveyed by Lampung Governor Rahmat Mirzani Djausal while attending the inauguration of the Lampung Province Branch of the Joint Association of Free Nutritious Meal Entrepreneurs (Gapenbi) for the 2025–2030 period at the Radisson Hotel Ballroom, Bandar Lampung, on Tuesday, 19 May 2026.
According to Mirza, the MBG programme is not merely an aid programme; it is a long-term investment to create an excellent generation towards Indonesia Emas 2045.
“History of world civilisation shows that advanced nations always begin with children who are intelligent and healthy. Therefore, the quality of education must be accompanied by good nutrition,” said Mirza.
He explained that the MBG idea has long attracted the attention of President Prabowo Subianto as an effort to address social inequality and poverty, particularly in rural areas.
Mirza explained that Lampung faces major challenges because a large portion of the population depends on the agricultural sector. Price fluctuations of commodities such as maize and cassava over the years have affected farmers’ welfare.
“The MBG programme is expected to become an instrument for economic equality. State funds flow directly to villages through MBG kitchens, creating a new cycle of economic activity at the community level,” he said.
Currently, Mirza said, more than a thousand MBG kitchens have been established in Lampung Province, absorbing labour and opening new business opportunities for rural communities.
He also stressed the importance of building an integrated supply-chain ecosystem between MBG kitchens, village cooperatives, farmers, ranchers, and local SMEs so that the economic benefits of the programme can be felt more widely.
“Going forward, MBG kitchens must not rely solely on suppliers from the city. Village agricultural and livestock products must be a main part of the supply chain so that economic growth truly occurs from the ground up,” he said.
To support this, the Lampung Provincial Government will push for cooperation between the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) and village cooperatives and local business operators across all districts/ccities.
Meanwhile, Tengku Syahdana, Director of Empowerment and Community Participation at the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), appreciated the Lampung Provincial Government’s support for accelerating the MBG programme.
He said the MBG programme is a national strategic programme that not only impacts child nutrition but also opens up large-scale people-powered economic opportunities.
“This programme has an extraordinary economic impact. Each kitchen manages a budget that circulates directly within the community through the procurement of food staples, involvement of SMEs, farmers, and village cooperatives,” he said.
According to Tengku, the MBG programme’s success is determined by collaboration among all parties, from local government, business operators, cooperatives, to rural communities.
He also urged that every MBG kitchen involve as many local business operators as possible so that the economic benefits are not concentrated among a single group.
“No member of the community should be merely a spectator. Everyone must become part of the supply chain and move up together,” he said.
At the event, the Chairman of Gapenbi, Alven Sony, stated that MBG partners have made major contributions to supporting government programmes through independent investment in kitchen construction.
He said that thousands of MBG kitchens established in various regions are the result of partner investments, without drawing development funds from the national budget (APBN).
“This programme is a form of national mutual cooperation to support President Prabowo Subianto’s vision of creating a healthy and quality generation,” he said.
He hopes that support from regional governments and all stakeholders will be strengthened, including in educating the public about the benefits and aims of the MBG programme.
The inauguration of the Lampung Gapenbi leadership is expected to strengthen synergy between government, business actors, and communities in driving the Free Nutritious Meal Programme as a driver of rural economic development and human resource development in Lampung Province.