Sudaryono Ready to Lead National Nutrition Agency, Pledges to Maximise Free Nutritious Meal Programme

Deputy Minister of Agriculture Sudaryono has expressed his readiness to take on the mandate as the new Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) after being appointed by President Prabowo Subianto to replace Nanik, who resigned due to health reasons. Sudaryono confirmed that he received information regarding the appointment after being contacted by Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya. He also noted that the Minister of State Secretary had provided an official statement regarding the leadership change at the National Nutrition Agency. “Firstly, I received a call from Mr Teddy earlier, for an inauguration this afternoon. So it is true. Mr Mensesneg also gave a press statement earlier that I was appointed by the President to replace Mrs Nanik, who stepped down due to health factors,” Sudaryono said. The appointment marks a leadership transition at BGN, the institution responsible for executing one of President Prabowo’s priority programmes, the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) initiative. Responding to the appointment, Sudaryono stated he did not make any special preparations. According to him, he already thoroughly understands the Free Nutritious Meals programme, having been involved in its discussion since it was part of President Prabowo’s campaign material. He explained that the programme is not a newly formulated policy but one that was prepared long before the election and is now being implemented. “The MBG programme is a priority programme of the President that was discussed long before the campaign, then became campaign material, and after the President took office, it is now being implemented,” he said. Sudaryono assessed that his experience in the agriculture sector is a significant asset in supporting the programme’s execution, as its success is closely tied to the readiness of the national food supply chain. He noted that the agriculture sector plays a major role in ensuring the availability of foodstuffs, from eggs and chicken meat to other commodities that are essential for the Free Nutritious Meals programme.