Bogor – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has ordered his staff to use raw materials for the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme from within the country, by involving cooperatives and village-owned enterprises (bumdes).

This was revealed by Minister of Cooperatives Budi Arie Setiadi after a meeting with Prabowo at Bogor Palace on Friday (3/1).

‘So the President’s direction is that the raw materials (MBG) must be from Indonesia, from villages, so that it can mobilise the people’s economy. Not imports,’ said Mr Budi.

Budi detailed that his party will involve thousands of cooperatives to succeed the government’s flagship programme. He also claimed to have recorded the distribution of villages that produce various commodities to support the MBG.

‘There are 1,923 cooperatives that are ready to accommodate, ready to contribute in organising free nutritious meals,’ said Budi.

‘That includes egg cooperatives; vegetable cooperatives; rice; fish cooperatives, and so on,’ he continued.

In addition, Budi also said that villages contribute to producing various needs such as corn, tilapia and melons. He said this was included in the 20 per cent of village funds budgeted for food security.

‘But certainly, for food security, nutritious lunches are from village funds. I reported that 20% of the Rp 71 trillion village fund in 2025 is for food security,’ Mr Budi said. (RR)