President Prabowo Subianto highlighted the positive impact of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program during his speech at the Annual Session of the People’s Consultative Assembly in Jakarta. The program has successfully reached 20 million beneficiaries in just eight months, including school children, preschoolers, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers. With 5,800 Nutritional Service Units established in 38 provinces, the program has created 290,000 jobs and engaged one million farmers, fishers, livestock breeders, and small enterprises, contributing to economic growth in rural areas.
Prabowo emphasized that MBG is more than just a social welfare initiative; it is a strategic foundation for nurturing a healthy, intelligent, and productive generation. He highlighted the increased school attendance and improved academic performance as early signs of success. Despite being relatively new, Indonesia’s progress with the program already outpaces that of other nations like Brazil.
The President stressed the importance of investing in programs like MBG, quoting the United Nations’s endorsement of such initiatives as the best national investment. Leaders from various state institutions, members of the parliament, and the cabinet attended the Annual Session, underscoring the program’s significant impact on the nation.
