Jakarta, July 22 -- Deputy Agriculture Minister Sudaryono said he was ready to lead Indonesia's Free Nutritious Meals program after President Prabowo Subianto appointed him head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN).

"My only promise is that I will work to the best of my ability," Sudaryono told reporters in Jakarta on Wednesday.

Sudaryono said Prabowo decided to appoint him shortly after Nanik Sudaryati Deyang resigned as BGN chief earlier Wednesday for health reasons.

State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya informed Sudaryono that his swearing-in ceremony was scheduled for Wednesday afternoon, he said.

Sudaryono said he supported the MBG program and had monitored its implementation while at t...