Prabowo says many countries are learning from Indonesia's MBG programme
Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Prabowo Subianto has emphasised that many countries are currently learning about Indonesia’s Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme because the government, through this policy, is able to serve more than 60 million beneficiaries on a regular basis.
“Many countries are now learning about MBG from us. Because, where in the world is there a country that can feed more than 60 million people, five times a week? From pregnant women to helpless elderly, we deliver the meals,” said President Prabowo in a speech at the “groundbreaking” ceremony for 13 downstreaming projects in Cilacap, Central Java, via a YouTube broadcast by the Cabinet Secretariat in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Prabowo explained that MBG functions as a new economic driver and, through Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG) at the village level, the government acts as a standby buyer (offtaker) to absorb the harvest yields of farmers and fishermen.
This system is claimed to break dependence on middlemen and maintain price stability during peak harvest seasons, thereby ensuring local food producers have a guaranteed market.
From an employment perspective, the President stated that the programme is projected to open up mass job opportunities.
The government targets the construction of 30,000 MBG kitchens, estimated to absorb 1.5 million workers, as well as the activation of 81,000 Red and White Cooperatives, projected to employ 1.4 million people in the logistics sector.
Regarding financing, the President stressed that the large budget for this programme is the result of government efficiency measures in curbing fund leakages due to corruption.
“This is money that we saved from corruption. We hold it back, we reallocate it, and we pour it into the people. I feel like I’m on the right path,” the President asserted firmly.
The President hopes that the success of the MBG programme will serve as a foundation for Indonesia to achieve economic “take-off” through strengthening public nutrition and a people-centred economy that is recognised globally.