With MBG, HKTI Claims No More Farmers Discarding Vegetables

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The General Chairman of the Indonesian Farmers’ Harmony Association (HKTI), Sudaryono alias Mas Dar, claims that currently, no farmers are discarding their vegetables because they have been absorbed by the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme.

Mas Dar stated that most agricultural products are now absorbed by the Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG).

He made this statement during the 53rd Anniversary Celebration of HKTI.

“There are no more farmers discarding vegetables that don’t sell in the market, no more farmers struggling to sell their agricultural products, because most are absorbed by the Nutrition Agency, SPPG, and our MBG,” said Mas Dar at the Ministry of Agriculture, Jakarta, on Monday (27/4/2026).

The MBG programme is one of the government’s instruments to absorb agricultural products.

Nevertheless, Mas Dar also acknowledged that there are occasionally shortcomings in the government programme.

Therefore, Mas Dar asked HKTI members in various regions to act as the eyes and ears of the government, monitoring how the programme runs in the field.

“If there are rotten MBG kitchens, report them, shut them down. If, for example, seed or seedling aid is not appropriate, report it,” said Mas Dar.

“So HKTI becomes the government’s intelligence at the grassroots level,” he added.

According to Mas Dar, shortcomings in a programme should not be a reason to cancel the policy.

If a house has three rats, for example, there is no need to demolish the building to exterminate the rats.

“If there is something wrong, improper irrigation, agricultural machinery aid from the Ministry of Agriculture is redeemed, people are made to pay, report it, we will prosecute,” said Mas Dar.

The Deputy Minister of Agriculture emphasised that Prabowo thinks about and prioritises the fate of farmers.

Prabowo has issued 20 legal products to encourage productivity and protect farmers.

He also remains consistent in adhering to an anti-import stance on rice and various other commodities.

This stance has been held since 2004 when he led HKTI.

“So believe that we, or the government in this case, the Ministry of Agriculture in accordance with instructions from the President, will not leave any farmer behind,” Mas Dar asserted firmly.