President Prabowo: More than Food, MBG is Nation Future Investment

Presiden Prabowo memberikan sambutannya pada acara Building Indonesia’s Future Generations Through Nutrition di Sentul International Convention Center (SICC), Kabupaten Bogor, Jawa Barat, Rabu, 3 Juni 2026.

President Prabowo Subianto on Wednesday (6/3) emphasized that the Free Nutritious Meals Program (MBG) is a government initiative aimed at ensuring Indonesian children receive adequate nutrition while also improving the quality of the nation’s human resources. The President made these remarks during his speech at the event Building Indonesia’s Future Generations through Nutrition at the Sentul International Convention Center (SICC), Bogor Regency, West Java.

“The concept of free nutritious meals is actually very simple. The reality is that we have found that many of our children go to school every morning without having breakfast. In fact, many of them rarely receive nutritious meals at home,” the President said.

He explained that malnutrition can negatively affect children’s growth and development, as well as their ability to reach their full potential. This condition is still prevalent in several regions where malnutrition rates remain relatively high, he continued.

“In some parts of our country, more than 20 percent, approaching 30 percent, of our children suffer from malnutrition. This leads to what is known as stunting. Brain cells do not develop properly, muscle cells do not develop properly, and the development of the brain, muscles, and bones is impaired,” the President stated.

President Prabowo noted that the consequences of malnutrition extend beyond health issues and can also limit children’s opportunities in education and future employment. He said he had witnessed these challenges firsthand during his visits to communities across the country.

“This means that a child will not develop according to their potential as a normal human being. Their abilities will be below what they could otherwise achieve. We often find that some children struggle even to complete elementary school. They may not even be able to replace their parents’ work as farmers, daily laborers, or fishers,” the President explained.

Therefore, President Prabowo emphasized that the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) and the MBG Program play a strategic role in supporting vulnerable communities and strengthening the quality of future generations. He also pointed out that several developed countries have implemented similar programs to improve welfare and human capital.

“This program is extremely important. If it succeeds, it will generate tremendous progress for our economy,” the President said.

In addition to its health and educational benefits, the President believes the MBG will have a broad economic impact, particularly in rural areas. Through the operation of MBG kitchens, agricultural products and goods from local businesses can be absorbed into the supply chain, thereby improving community welfare.

“If the kitchens succeed, if these programs are implemented properly, the rural economy will come alive. Farmers’ incomes will increase, they will no longer be exploited by middlemen, and they will have certainty that their products and the results of their hard work can be purchased and absorbed by the market. This will enable them to live better lives,” he said.

President Prabowo expressed confidence that the optimal implementation of the MBG would reach tens of millions of beneficiaries and create millions of new jobs. He emphasized his belief that the program would deliver significant benefits to both society and the nation.

“When this program reaches its full scale, we will be able to provide meals to more than 80 million people, around 83 to 85 million. If 30,000 kitchens operate properly and effectively, we could create 1.5 million formal jobs and perhaps another 1.5 million jobs in the rural economy. That is 3 million jobs in total. The amount of money circulating in villages will be enormous. Therefore, ladies and gentlemen, I am convinced and confident that this program will succeed,” the President concluded. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (RD/LW)