One of President Prabowo’s flagship programs, the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) initiative, has been implemented in several regional schools.
While this program has great potential to enhance students’ cognitive abilities by providing nutritious meals, its success heavily depends on proper food management and transparent governance. Without this, the program risks becoming a target for corruption.
This issue was highlighted during a discussion at Pojok Bulaksumur, titled Free Nutritious Meals Program (MBG): A Review from Nutrition, Policy, and Food Supply Chain Perspectives, held on Jan. 17 in the Hallway of UGM’s Central Office.
The event, organized by the Secretariat of UGM, featured three UGM experts: Professor Wahyudi Kumorotomo from the Department of Public Policy Management, Professor Subejo from the Department of Agricultural Socio-Economics, and Dr. Toto Sudargo from the Department of Health Nutrition.
Dr. Toto Sudargo emphasized that the MBG program has significant potential to enhance students’ cognitive development if managed well. However, the program also requires proper food preparation to ensure nutritional value.
“Consuming nutritious food, like protein from eggs, is crucial for brain development. However, the presentation must also be appealing to encourage children to eat,” he stated.
He illustrated how well-prepared egg dishes, such as omelets or scrambled eggs, could offer additional calories and benefits. He emphasized that quality should be prioritized over quantity.
“What matters is that the children eat and the food isn’t wasted. Meals should not end up as trash,” he added.
Professor Subejo highlighted the importance of utilizing local food ingredients for the MBG program. He pointed out that relying on imported staples like wheat poses a significant challenge that needs immediate attention.
“Indonesia has abundant local carbohydrate sources like cassava, corn, and sago. By leveraging these, we strengthen food security and empower local farmers,” he explained.
Professor Subejo also suggested empowering villages as the base for distributing nutritious meals. He proposed that the distribution process would be more efficient and tailored to community needs if villages were granted authority to manage funds and create menus using local ingredients.
“This approach can also minimize the risk of food spoilage due to long distribution routes,” he added.
Meanwhile, Professor Wahyudi Kumorotomo stressed the need for transparency and accountability in managing the program’s substantial budget to ensure its effectiveness. He warned that corruption risks must be addressed through rigorous oversight involving all levels of society.
“The allocated budget of IDR 71 trillion per year, targeting 19.4 million children, must be carefully monitored. We cannot allow corruption or misuse of funds for other purposes,” he said.
The three UGM experts agreed that the MBG program represents a long-term investment requiring sustained commitment from various stakeholders. Dr. Sudargo noted that similar programs in India only showed significant results after over a decade of implementation.
“This program must continue uninterrupted, regardless of government changes. If consistent, Indonesia can achieve substantial improvements in health, cognitive abilities, and the achievements of future generations,” he stressed.
The two-hour discussion concluded with high hopes for the MBG program’s success. The experts called on all societal elements to support and oversee its implementation.
“This is an investment in future generations. If the program succeeds, Indonesia will have healthier, smarter, and globally competitive citizens,” Dr. Sudargo concluded.
Author: Bolivia
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Photographer: Donnie