Indonesia's Free Nutritious Meals Program lifts farmers, creates jobs, cuts stunting

The Free Nutritious Meals (Makan Bergizi Gratis, MBG) program is being credited with stabilising farm gate prices and reducing reliance on middlemen for smallholders. In Cianjur, West Java, farmer Agi Sumarlin says the scheme guarantees a market for rice, vegetables and other produce, helping to keep prices stable and offering fairer contracts with cooperatives.

In Papua, the programme is generating employment. In Nabire Regency, 658 workers – including 180 indigenous Papuans – are employed across 14 service units, earning between Rp120,000 and Rp200,000 per day. Officials estimate monthly economic turnover of Rp1.58‑2.63 billion, with transparent budgeting tools used to monitor spending.

Local authorities also note health benefits. In Blitar, East Java, the deputy mayor highlighted a sharp drop in stunting rates, attributing the improvement to the nutrition provided to children, pregnant and lactating women, and toddlers. The city supports a thorough evaluation of the programme but opposes any move to discontinue it.

Nationally, the MBG initiative aligns with President Prabowo Subianto’s agenda to boost agricultural income, expand free health services, and improve human capital across underserved regions.