Antara, Jakarta – Recent Indonesia's survey findings from the Adidaya Institute indicate strong public support for the continuation of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program.
Adidaya Institute Executive Director Rahman Toha Budiarto revealed that 61.6 percent of respondents want the MBG program to continue, while 66.5 percent believe the government's flagship program delivers tangible benefits to the community.
"This refutes the negative narrative suggesting that the public does not want the MBG program. Approximately six out of ten citizens want the MBG program to continue, and two out of three feel the program is beneficial," Rahman said in a statement received in Jakarta on Thursday, October 8, 2026.
The face-to-face survey, conducted from September 15-21, 2026, covered 38 provinces and involved 1,240 respondents, with a margin of error of 2.78 percent and a confidence level of 95 percent.
The results showed a very high level of public awareness regarding the MBG program, reaching 93.4 percent, making it President Prabowo's most popular flagship program.
Furthermore, Rahman noted that 69.9 percent of respondents approve of the MBG program, and 58.2 percent consider it aligned with the community's needs.
Meanwhile, approximately 63 percent of respondents acknowledged the direct impact of the MBG program on their families, and 63.4 percent believed it contributes to improved nutrition.
"This means the majority of the public views the MBG program as meeting public needs and having a positive impact on health and nutritional improvement. Naturally, this implies that the public understands the objectives of the MBG program," he stated.
He added that respondents also held positive views regarding the program's beneficiaries and reach. Survey results indicate that 73.8 percent of students have already received the MBG program, while approximately 33.4 percent of toddlers and 25.5 percent of pregnant women have benefited from it.
Regarding the assessment of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) menu, he continued, 54.6 percent of residents considered the MBG menu more nutritious than home-cooked meals. More than 50 percent of respondents also deemed the quality of the MBG menu far superior to that of home-cooked food.
"The MBG menu is rated as more nutritious, more varied, and of higher quality than home-cooked meals," said Rahman.
The Adidaya Institute survey also revealed public demand for the involvement of farmers, fishermen, local businesses, and MSMEs. Data indicates that 78.8 percent of the public wants local businesses and MSMEs to be involved in supplying the MBG program.
Citing the survey, Adidaya Institute economist Bramastyo Prastowo stated that the majority of the public wants MBG food ingredients to be sourced from local farmers, fishermen, livestock breeders, and MSMEs.
Bram explained that, to date, 40,000 MSMEs have become suppliers of food ingredients for the MBG program. Furthermore, an average of three MSMEs have been recorded as suppliers for each Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) across regencies and cities throughout Indonesia.
"In factual terms, the MBG program is currently driving government consumption through goods procurement valued at Rp54.4 trillion. The MBG program is even the fastest-growing component in the first quarter of 2026," Bram revealed.
He noted that government statistics also show the MBG program has successfully created approximately 987,000 direct jobs within SPPG kitchens, with 99 percent of these workers being residents living near the SPPGs.
Thus, he continued, the most tangible economic benefit of the MBG program lies in sourcing ingredients from local businesses and MSMEs, thereby opening up employment opportunities for communities surrounding the SPPG kitchens.
Regarding the performance of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), the Director of Politics and Democracy at the Adidaya Institute reported that 55 percent of respondents expressed satisfaction, while 52.9 percent expressed confidence in the agency's ability to effectively manage the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program.
Satisfaction levels regarding the MBG program even saw a three-point increase following the change in the agency's leadership.
"More than half of the public is satisfied with the BGN's performance. They also believe the agency is capable of successfully implementing the MBG program," stated Fadhli.
Consequently, he noted that satisfaction with performance and public confidence in BGN Head Sudaryono are currently at their peak. Compared to the previous period, 68.8 percent of respondents expressed satisfaction with the agency head's performance, while 76.1 percent expressed confidence in Sudaryono's work.
Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/2121128/survey-finds-61-6-of-indonesians-support-continuing-mbg-progra