Jakarta, Sept. 29 -- Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program has significantly boosted the economy, creating 1.5 million new jobs by early 2026.

He added that the program has also built a guaranteed market for farmers and livestock breeders, with products such as rice, eggs, vegetables, and animal protein absorbed as raw ingredients for MBG meals.

"We have succeeded in revitalizing the people's economy. Every day, we need eggs, vegetables, fish, chicken, and ingredients from the villages," Prabowo said in a speech at a national political party conference in Jakarta on Monday.

The president noted that his government has allocated Rp335 trillion (over US$22 billion) for the program in 2026. The ...