MBG Reaches 44 Million Beneficiaries, Prabowo: 2 Billion Portion Produced

President Prabowo Subianto (between)

JAKARTA - President Prabowo Subianto appreciates the achievement of the Free Nutrition Food (MBG) program which now reaches 44 million beneficiary communities throughout Indonesia.

Prabowo said the program managed by the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) had had a broad impact, especially on early childhood, students, and pregnant women.

"I thank the head of our national nutrition agency BGN for reaching if I'm not mistaken, it has reached 44 million beneficiaries of our children throughout Indonesia, pregnant women, early childhood have received," Prabowo said in a speech at the Bank Indonesia Annual Meeting, quoted from Bank Indonesia's YouTube, Friday, November 28.

Prabowo said that of the total 44 million recipients, if the calculation of food production per portion reached 2 billion. The MBG program has been running since January 2025.

"We have produced 2 billion food (ports) and have conveyed it to beneficiaries. I think this is a fairly proud achievement," he said.

For your information, the MBG program is designed as a strategic step to reduce stunting rates, improve health quality, and strengthen the foundations of human resources from an early age.

Through the provision of menus that meet nutritional standards, MBG is expected to have a direct impact on children's development, increase concentration on learning, and build a healthier and more productive generation.

Previously, the Danantara Investment Management Agency (BPI) through PT Danantara Asset Management (Persero) was also involved in the program. The role of the agency is to provide a financing scheme for the construction of the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) or the kitchen for the Free Nutrition Food Program (MBG) provider.

In providing this financing scheme, Danantara collaborated with the National Nutrition Agency (BGN). This collaboration was marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two parties.

Danantara Indonesia CEO Rosan Roeslani said this signing was an important step in maintaining the continuity of the implementation of government priority programs broadly and evenly. Given, the MBG program is positioned as a long-term development instrument.

"Through structured and accountable financing support, Danantara Indonesia is committed to strengthening the national nutrition service ecosystem so that the benefits are truly felt by people throughout Indonesia," he said in an official statement, Thursday, November 20.

Rosan said through access to credit with uniform requirements in all banks under the management of Danantara Indonesia, the SPPG development process could be accelerated, and carried out professionally.

"The financing scheme agreed today is not only a matter of funding, but about building a consistent, transparent governance foundation, carried out by a professional team," he said.

With a more integrated and inclusive approach, continued Rosan, the acceleration of SPPG development can run more effectively, improve the quality of nutrition services.

"As well as having a real impact on the quality of life of the community and local economic growth," he said.

Meanwhile, the Head of the National Nutrition Agency Dadan Hindayana said that the adequate construction of the SPPG is the key to the success of the MBG program.

"Collaboration with Danantara Indonesia will strengthen our ability to expand the reach of nutritional services in a measured and quality manner in all regions," he said.