Economist Calls MBG Needs To Be Viewed As A Long-Term Investment

Illustration (Photo: Doc. ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Economic experts consider the Free Nutrition Food (MBG) program initiated by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto to be considered a long-term investment.

Chief Economist Trimegah Sekuritas Indonesia Fakhrul Fulvian said the MBG Program was not a burden on the state, but one of the steps taken to build a healthy generation for Indonesia Gold 2045.

"Free food is not a burden, it is 'face money' for a stronger and more capable productive generation. However, so far the logic contained in macroeconomic institutions, social redistribution will always be treated as a second layer policy," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, April 22.

According to Fakhrul, continuous growth is around the bottom up, namely from the rural household dining table, from the school children's lunch box, and from the stomach that is no longer empty.

"Free Nutrition Food is not about dependence, but about building capacity and ensuring a country's human engines are refueling, literally, for future travel," he said.

He also emphasized that the MBG program should be seen not only in terms of capital, but also in the long-term impact on society.

"The old bias is in the fiscal discourse: capital expenditure is good, while social spending is considered a leak. This mindset ignores the long-term productivity benefits of investment in human resources, especially through basic things such as food, health, and early education," he said.

The MBG program is targeted to reach 82.9 million beneficiaries by the end of 2025.

Currently, the National Nutrition Agency is mapping the need for 30,000 Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG) to reach this target.

Of that amount, 1,542 SPPG are planned to be funded through the State Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBN) and the rest through partnership schemes.