Head of BGN: MBG Not Only Provides Food, but Also Opens Business Opportunities for the People

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Sudaryono, the Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), stated that the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program not only meets nutritional needs but also opens up market opportunities for agricultural, livestock, and fisheries products.

According to Sudaryono, the benefits of MBG can significantly boost economic circulation, especially in rural areas.

"MBG is a strategic program. It not only benefits our children but also the entrepreneurs, particularly in the agriculture, livestock, fisheries, and food and beverage industries," Sudaryono said in a press statement on Thursday (12/11/2026).

Sudaryono explained that the connection between food production sectors and the implementation of MBG is continuously strengthened to ensure a more effective supply chain.

Farmers, livestock breeders, and food industry entrepreneurs need direct market access without too many intermediaries that could increase distribution costs.

"There should be no middlemen or brokers. We want the farmers to be happy, the breeders to gain profits, and the MBG to acquire quality food supplies," he clarified.

He added that the government needs to ensure that the food distribution chain is efficient, transparent, and manageable.

An excessively long supply chain has the potential to drive up costs, so it needs to be organized to ensure that producers earn reasonable profits and buyers get fair prices.

"If it can be faster, it should be controllable. The producers must profit, and those purchasing should not incur losses. This is where the state's role comes in," he stated.

Therefore, according to Sudaryono, the existence of MBG can be a strategic opportunity to create market certainty for the products of farmers and breeders.

Through MBG, the government is not only encouraging increased food production but also preparing a market that can absorb production on a large scale.