inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan (Zulhas) stated that the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) Program has involved approximately 148,000 local food suppliers and will continue to be strengthened through synergy with the Merah Putih Village/Sub-District Cooperative (KDMP) to expand the absorption of community produce.
"Currently, the MBG Program involves approximately 148,000 suppliers consisting of Village-Owned Enterprises (BUMDes), KDMP, farmer groups, livestock groups, and MSMEs," explained Zulhas on Monday (7/13/2026).
According to him, Indonesia does not only rely on rice, but also has a diversity of local foods that need to be continuously developed to provide added value to the community.
"Local food must be the strength of the village economy. Therefore, the government is encouraging the absorption of community produce through the MBG and KDMP Programs so that the benefits are directly felt by farmers, livestock breeders, and MSMEs," said Zulhas.
He stated that strengthening local food is part of the effort to achieve food self-sufficiency while building a sustainable village economic ecosystem.
The government, he continued, continues to encourage the MBG Program's raw material needs to be met from local production so that the economic benefits can be felt more widely by rural communities.
Zulhas explained that the collaboration between the MBG and the KDMP will strengthen the national food supply chain while opening sustainable markets for local food commodities.
"Water availability, fertile soil, and a well-maintained ecosystem are the main assets for the sustainability of national food production," he said.
Furthermore, he also emphasized that food security must go hand in hand with efforts to preserve the environment so that food sector productivity can be maintained in the long term.
The government hopes that cross-stakeholder collaboration can accelerate the realization of a resilient and sustainable national food system, while simultaneously improving public welfare.
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