Prabowo promotes MBG as tool for regional equity
The government is positioning MBG not only as a nutrition program but also as a way to channel state spending to SPPG and local producers.
President Prabowo Subianto is promoting the Makan Bergizi Gratis (MBG) program as a tool for economic equity, not merely a school nutrition program. In an explanation cited by Antara and remarks by Prabowo aired by CNBC Indonesia, program funds are being directed to the regions through Satuan Pelayanan Pemenuhan Gizi (SPPG) so state spending circulates among local communities. The National Nutrition Agency said most of the MBG budget is distributed through a mechanism linked to SPPG, with each SPPG receiving an average of around Rp1 billion per month. About 70 percent of operating funds are used to buy food ingredients, from rice, eggs, chicken, vegetables, fruit, and milk. The model is expected to create a more reliable market for farmers, ranchers, fishers, and MSMEs across the country.