inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The Minister of National Development Planning (PPN), Rachmat Pambudy, emphasized that the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program is a game changer in driving national economic growth while strengthening the transformation of Indonesia's food and livestock sectors.
He stated that the government is now not only focused on food security, but has shifted towards a more comprehensive and sustainable food sovereignty.
"We introduced the free meals program. It's our game changer," said Rachmat on Friday (3/27/2026).
According to him, the MBG program not only impacts the public's nutritional needs but also creates large and stable market demand, particularly for the domestic livestock sector.
"The market is ready, stable, and growing," he said.
Minister Rachmat revealed that the additional demand from the program is projected to reach 1.5 million liters of milk and 47,000 tons of beef by 2029, which is a positive signal for investors.
According to him, the government is targeting an increase in self-sufficiency in milk production from 21 percent to 96 percent, and beef production to 70 percent.
To support this target, the government is facilitating the importation of 1 million dairy cattle. However, Rachmat acknowledged that several challenges remain.
He outlined these challenges, including low productivity, as more than 90 percent of livestock are managed by smallholder farmers; gaps in the breeding system that lead to a high dependence on imports; and limited resources, such as high feed costs and the threat of animal disease.
To address these challenges, the government is encouraging improvements in the quality and scale of production through collaboration with the private sector and academia.
One innovation being developed is the Red and White Cattle, based on genomic technology, to produce more productive and resilient livestock.
Furthermore, the government is encouraging the national private sector to not only act as business actors but also invest in livestock research and development.
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