Jakarta, May 19 -- Indonesia's Minister of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Maman Abdurrahman said 57,600 MSMEs have joined the supply chain of the government's Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program.

Speaking at a working meeting with House of Representatives Commission VII in Jakarta on Monday, Maman said the program not only helps meet nutritional needs but also drives regional economic activity.

He said the MBG ecosystem also involves around 12,000 cooperatives, 1,358 village-owned enterprises (BUMDes), 64,000 suppliers, and 662 Red and White Village Cooperatives.

According to him, suppliers provide food ingredients as well as operational needs for MBG kitchens, including water, gas, and soap.

Maman said MBG kitchens - fo...