inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. President Prabowo Subianto emphasized that the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program is a key driver of economic growth at the grassroots level.

According to President Prabowo, amidst global economic uncertainty, the MBG program has accelerated the government's efforts to stimulate the economy while investing in human resource development.

"A stimulus for growth at the grassroots level," President Prabowo emphasized on Monday (3/16/2026). He explained that the program aims to empower low-income communities, increase purchasing power, and encourage more inclusive economic growth.

The government targets the MBG program to reach around 80 million beneficiaries by 2026, including school children, toddlers, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers.

The program is designed to provide food to more than 80 million people almost every day and absorbs approximately 11 percent of the central government budget.

In addition to the MBG, the government is also prioritizing various economic empowerment programs such as the construction of subsidized housing, strengthening village cooperatives, and empowering micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to strengthen national economic resilience.

(ad/ndt/pr/rs)