He emphasized that the program does not stand alone, but instead forms an important part of the national agricultural ecosystem by linking farmers’ production directly with public consumption needs.
“Don’t see MBG as a standalone program. MBG has become an offtaker for 165 million farmers. I repeat, MBG serves as an offtaker for 165 million Indonesian farmers,” the minister stated after a discussion with student executive bodies (BEM) from various universities across Indonesia here on Wednesday.
According to him, MBG, one of President Prabowo Subianto’s flagship programs, provides market certainty for farmers, ensuring that agricultural products are absorbed optimally without concerns over oversupply that could depress prices at the producer level.
In addition to increasing the absorption of agricultural products, the free meal program is also considered capable of driving economic circulation in villages, as production, distribution, and consumption activities are integrated within a single chain.
He added that the program’s benefits are also felt by younger generations who receive better nutritional intake, enabling them to become healthier, smarter, and more productive in the future.
The MBG program, he remarked, targets various beneficiary groups ranging from schoolchildren to pregnant women as part of efforts to build high-quality and competitive human resources.
“Our children will become smarter in the future because they receive proper nutrition. In addition, the economy will circulate in villages. Markets will thrive, and the people will directly feel the benefits,” Sulaiman remarked.
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Translator: Harianto, Kenzu
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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