Prabowo Says Kopdes Merah Putih and MBG Have the Potential to Generate Rp 10.8 Billion Per Village

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - President Prabowo Subianto stated that village cooperatives (Kopdes) Merah Putih and the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program have the potential to generate Rp 900 million per month in villages.

For example, MBG purchases from local businesses such as farmers, ranchers, and others who supply ingredients for MBG. If there are 3,000 beneficiaries of MBG in one village with a budget of Rp 15,000 per person, then the daily transaction value reaches Rp 45 million.

Prabowo calculated that if the program runs for 20 days a month, the average monthly transaction value will reach Rp 900 million. This means that in one year, it will reach Rp 10.8 billion.

“Rp 10.8 billion is circulating in one village,” he said.

“MBG plus Kopdes Merah Putih will boost our economy,” said Prabowo.

This is because national food security is strong.

“And ultimately, history, destiny, and reality prove that because we are more secure about food, whatever crisis occurs outside our country, we are relatively safer and better prepared to face challenges,” explained Prabowo, quoted from Kompas.com, Saturday (16/5/2026).

Indonesia has succeeded in achieving food self-sufficiency, reducing the volume of food imports even though prices are considered cheap.

The issue is not whether it is expensive or cheap, but whether the food is available at this time.

“So I don’t participate in the views that say that rice and corn are more efficient if we import them. The survival of the nation is not just about being cheaper where it is cheaper, but whether it exists or not,” he said.

Initially, Prabowo targeted Indonesia to achieve food self-sufficiency within four years.

“I gave the task to the Minister of Agriculture and all his team, I asked for food self-sufficiency in 4 years. They managed to produce it in 1 year, ladies and gentlemen,” he said.

Indonesia has achieved self-sufficiency in rice, corn, and chicken.