Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — The Indonesian government is set to involve poor communities in implementing the nations free nutritious meal (MBG) program, according to Budiman Sudjatmiko, head of the Agency for Accelerating Poverty Eradication (BP Taskin).
Budiman explained that impoverished individuals would be organized and empowered through cooperatives, small and medium enterprises, and village-owned enterprises (BUMDes). These groups could provide opportunities for the poor to work in Free nutritious meal (MBG) program kitchens or other related sectors.
“Individually, poor people may struggle, but when united in cooperatives or engaged through village-owned enterprises, particularly in rural areas, they can contribute meaningfully. Similarly, medium-sized businesses in urban and district areas can employ them to work in these kitchens or related sectors,” Budiman said during a media briefing in Jakarta on Saturday, January 18, 2025, as reported by Detik Finance.
Generating New Income Streams for the Poor
Budiman emphasized that this initiative aligns with President Prabowo Subianto’s flagship program, aiming not only to increase productivity among the poor communities but also to create new income streams for them.
“Success in poverty eradication isn’t just about making people more productive or encouraging them to join cooperatives. It’s about ensuring there’s a purchase order for their products—a market for what they produce,” he explained.
He noted that while farmers and artisans in Indonesia are often highly productive, their efforts are undermined by the lack of buyers. “The missing link has always been the absence of a buyer willing to purchase their output in significant quantities. This is where the government steps in as a bulk buyer,” Budiman added.
Expanding Opportunities to Housing Programs
Budiman also highlighted plans to involve low-income communities in the government’s initiative to build three million homes annually. Under this program, the poor communities could be employed to produce essential materials like sand, wood, cement, bricks, and roof tiles for housing projects.
“We’re drafting a scheme to engage the poor through BUMDes, cooperatives, and partnerships with medium-sized businesses. These efforts would not only supply food for the MBG program but also materials for the housing program,” Budiman explained.
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He further elaborated on the need to address the productivity gap in Indonesia, saying, “For years, we’ve had productive people whose goods go unsold and buyers who never show up. Now, the government will act as the buyer, bridging this gap.”
A Holistic Approach to Poverty Alleviation
Budiman believes these initiatives represent a comprehensive approach to poverty eradication by combining empowerment, market access, and government support for the poor communities. He concluded, “This is how we can ensure that the productive efforts of our people translate into real economic benefits.”
This effort marks a significant step toward addressing systemic poverty and boosting the livelihoods of Indonesia’s most vulnerable communities.
(Raidi/Agung)
