Gov’t Expands FNM Program, Launches Village Initiative to Boost National Development

President’s arrival at the Cimahpar 5 Elementary School, Bogor City, West Java Province on Friday (5/2) is welcomed enthusiastically by the school kids who are waiting for his presence. (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat)

President Prabowo Subianto has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to expediting the village economic improvement and expand the Free Nutritious Meal (FNM) program as part of the national development strategy.

During the 2025 National Education Day commemoration, the Head of State highlighted the tangible results of the program, noting a significant increase in beneficiaries.

“The program has recorded 3 million beneficiaries to date and next month, based on the report given to me, it will reach 4 million and even more. This November 2025, we aim to achieve 82.9 million beneficiaries for children and pregnant women to receive nutritious meal every day,” the President said Friday (5/2) at the Cimahpar 5 Elementary School, Bogor City, West Java Province.

The President said the MBG program does not only increase the nutrition of children and pregnant women, but also be the driving wheel of the regional economy. This results in an increase circulation of money in the village by 4 to 5 times.

“A 400% or even 500% increase has never occurred in any other countries recently,” he said.

The Head of State also appreciated the implementation of the program that has been running and showing positive progress, adding that this achievement is part of the nation’s goal that requires determination, bravery, and fighting spirit.

“This is full of dreams. This needs determination, bravery, spirit, and these all we will do. We will show the world that we can do big things, fundamental things, strategic things, those things that can change the nation’s future,” the President said.

In addition to the FNM program, the President has also launched a program of developing 25 thousand improvised warehouses and cooperative warehouses in 80 thousand villages. This action is taken to solve the issue of post-harvest in which all these times the farmers’ harvests are wasted due to delays in distribution.

“I have initiated an express program to build temporary, improvised warehouses. A total of 25,000 such warehouses will be constructed using quality materials, ensuring they can last for 5 to 10 years. These improvised warehouses will serve as an interim solution until permanent warehouses are fully established in every village,” he said.

In addition, every village cooperative will be equipped with cold storages to maintain the harvest’s quality such as fruit and vegetable. Trucks will also be provided to support the efficient logistic distribution from village to city. Through these concrete actions, the President hopes to eliminate losses caused by delays in distribution, ensuring that no more harvests are damaged. This initiative is expected to strengthen the village economy in a sustainable way.

“Every village cooperative will have trucks, at least 80 thousand trucks so that the harvest can be immediately sent to the rice mill, sent to the State Logistics Agency (Bulog), sent to the market. From the city, the trucks can bring materials needed by the people in the villages,” the President remarked. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (JAS/EP)