“I remind SPPGs, partners, and public foundations not to rely solely on large-capital suppliers for MBG food materials. They must involve small farmers, MSMEs, and cooperatives,” BGN Deputy Head Nanik Sudaryati Deyang stated, referring to the MBG kitchens by their official name, nutrition fulfillment service units (SPPGs).
According to an official statement received on Monday, Deyang raised the issue during an MBG evaluation meeting in Jombang, East Java, highlighting complaints from small farmers and MSMEs who wish to partake in the program.
The agency deputy head said that small farmers and MSMEs are often excluded from the MBG supply chain due to overly complicated bureaucracy and permit requirements.
"Please, do not complicate them by requiring NPWP (tax numbers), SIB (business permit), or others," she said.
Deyang, serving as the executive head of a cross-ministry coordination team for MBG implementation, reminded SPPGs that President Prabowo Subianto has pressed for greater involvement of small farmers, MSMEs, and cooperatives in the program.
Moreover, the free meal program for schoolchildren is designed to boost regional economic activity and curb inflation. By involving MSMEs and small farmers as MBG suppliers, food supply can increase, which in turn helps reduce prices, she remarked.
"Give them opportunities to participate as a supplier for the MBG program," the agency deputy head said.
She expressed hope that with this understanding, more SPPGs will partner with small farmers and MSMEs for the MBG program.“Do not take part (in the program) with a purely business-oriented mindset,” Deyang added.
President Prabowo viewed the MBG program as a strategic tool to support the Golden Indonesia 2045 vision and his eight core missions, or Asta Cita, by improving nutrition and stimulating local economies.
Since its launch on January 6 this year, the program, through over 15 thousand SPPGs, has reached about 44 million citizens, including schoolchildren, toddlers, breastfeeding mothers, and pregnant women, moving toward the target of 82.9 million beneficiaries by March 2026.
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Translator: Tri Meilani Ameliya, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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