Jakarta, May 26 -- Indonesian Deputy Minister of Agriculture Sudaryono highlighted that the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program has boosted the absorption of national agricultural commodities and driven investment in the food sector.

"On behalf of our farmers, I must say that the MBG has a significant impact on absorbing our agricultural commodities," he said at the National Conference on Local Economic Development in Jakarta on Monday.

He pointed out that before the MBG program was implemented, commodities like carrots, tomatoes, and milk frequently suffered from oversupply and went to waste.

According to him, the rising demand driven by the free meals program has also stimulated investment in the livestock sector, particularly in dai...