Jakarta — A total of 18,000 Family Planning Counselors (PKB) and Field Family Planning Officers (PLKB) are ready to spearhead the government’s Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, preschoolers, and toddlers—particularly those under the age of two.

The statement was made by Deputy Minister of Population and Family Development (Kemendukbangga) Ratu Ayu Isyana Bagoes Oka during the “Double Check” discussion forum organized by the Presidential Communication Office (PCO) in collaboration with Gempita, in Jakarta, on Friday (Aug. 9).

The discussion, themed “The Role of Family Development in Welcoming Indonesia Emas 2045”, also featured Deputy Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Veronica Tan, as well as PCO Senior Expert Staff Chacha Anisa.

According to Isyana, the government has taken many concrete steps to prepare for Indonesia’s golden generation in 2045, one of which is the MBG program.

“MBG doesn’t only target schoolchildren, but also pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, toddlers, and preschoolers. These are groups not covered by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education,” Isyana explained.

This is where Kemendukbangga collaborates with the National Nutrition Agency (BGN). While the program is under BGN, Kemendukbangga deploys its trained cadres to implement it on the ground.

In addition to PKB and PLKB cadres, Kemendukbangga is working with the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Home Affairs to form Family Assistance Teams (TPK), consisting of health workers (such as midwives or nurses), Family Welfare Movement (PKK) cadres, and family planning volunteers. The teams number around 600,000 members nationwide.

“These are the frontline workers distributing MBG to pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers, especially those under the age of two,” Isyana said.

She stressed the importance of nutrition for expectant and nursing mothers, as well as young children.

Improving the quality of human resources, as outlined in the government’s Asta Cita goal number four, must start from the smallest unit—families—and as early as possible, she noted.

“Habits are built within families, even though each family has different dynamics,” she added.

Isyana also emphasized that the first 1,000 days of life are a crucial period for preventing stunting—and this period begins not at birth, but during pregnancy.