MBG Program Absorbs 1.28 Million Workers, MSMEs and Farmers Benefit

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – The National Nutrition Agency’s Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program is beginning to show a significant impact on job absorption and the movement of the national economy. The government notes the program has absorbed around 1.28 million workers across various regions.

Based on the latest data from the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) as of 22 May 2026, the workforce is spread across 29,225 Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG) across Indonesia. The workers are responsible for preparing nutritious meals for around 62.45 million beneficiaries, ranging from schoolchildren, under-fives, pregnant and nursing mothers, to santri.

“Not only does it create new jobs, the MBG program also drives the local economy through involvement of thousands of suppliers of foods and supporting services,” BGN said, quoting a press statement from the Government Communication Bureau (Bakom) of the RI, on Saturday 23 May 2026.

BGN notes there are 142,387 suppliers involved in the program’s supply chain. Of these, 59,921 are from micro, small and medium enterprises (UMKM); 13,306 cooperatives; 690 Desa/ Kelurahan Merah Putih Cooperatives (KDKMP); 1,410 BUMDes; and 157 BUMDesma. The rest come from various other food and service providers. The government says MBG helps to energise the livelihoods of people from upstream to downstream by creating large, sustainable demand for food.

For illustration, one SPPG kitchen requires about 200 kilograms of rice per day, or 4.8 tonnes per month, to supply 3,000 meals. In addition, one SPPG requires around 2,800 chickens per month, assuming chicken is served twice a week. Milk demand is also substantial. Each SPPG requires around 450 litres of milk per day to supply 3,000 MBG portions, with each recipient receiving 150 millilitres of milk.

Previously, President Prabowo Subianto stated that MBG has opened around 1.2 million new jobs. “From MBG alone we have opened 1.2 million new jobs in the kitchens, and we ensure the market, the off-take for tens of millions of our farmers, breeders and fishermen,” Prabowo said at the 19th Plenary Session of the DPR RI during the Fifth Session of the 2025-2026 Year, on Wednesday 20 May 2026.