Indonesia's MBG Program Offers Golden Chance to Boost Milk Consumption

Indonesia's Deputy Coordinating Minister for Food, Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, has identified the "Makan Bergizi Gratis" (MBG) program as a crucial platform for increasing milk consumption and enhancing the quality of the nation's future generations. Speaking at the Nusantara Milk Day commemoration in Jakarta, Hanif emphasized that the MBG program presents a golden opportunity to integrate milk into school meals, ideally daily, to foster a stronger culture of milk consumption.

He highlighted that the program's inclusion of milk is vital for supporting better and more sustainable nutrition for Indonesian children. Hanif expressed concern over the current low national milk consumption, averaging just 16.2 to 16.8 liters per capita per year. This translates to a mere tablespoon per person daily, underscoring the urgent need for increased intake to positively impact the population's health and development.

The minister pointed out that milk is rich in essential nutrients like protein, calcium, potassium, and vitamins A, B12, and D, which are critical for bone health, muscle strength, and optimal brain development in young people. He stressed that boosting milk consumption must be a collective effort involving government, businesses, academics, media, and the public.

Furthermore, the government is working to strengthen the national dairy ecosystem through a roadmap for self-sufficiency, covering the entire value chain from production to distribution. This initiative aims to bolster domestic production and add value to the national dairy sector, contributing to sustainable food security. Hanif noted that Indonesia lags behind other ASEAN nations in milk consumption and stressed the importance of continuous socialization, building a conducive environment, and finalizing the roadmap to improve the situation.