Novali Panji Nugroho, Devy Ernis, Jakarta – Chief of the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI), General Agus Subiyanto, revealed the special role of the military in the free nutritious meals (MBG) program initiated by President Prabowo Subianto's government. He stated that he had ordered all Regional Defense Commands staff to manage idle lands.
Idle lands are agricultural lands that have not been used for over two years. "In every regional command, I have ordered the Commander to manage idle lands," he said after the TNI-National Police (Polri) leaders' meeting (Rapim) at Tribrata Darmawangsa, Jakarta, on Thursday, January 30, 2025.
The TNI's management of idle lands includes various activities such as planting vegetables like water spinach and rice and animal husbandry, including fish farming.
This four-star General mentioned that the produce from the management of idle lands would be used to fulfill production needs. "It will support the free nutritious meals program," he said.
Furthermore, he stated that the purpose of the military's involvement in planting is to support the government's food resilience mission. Agus ensured that his institution had already been involved in synergy with the Indonesian National Police.
He also mentioned that the TNI's involvement in the free nutritious meals program is to assist. Therefore, his institution does not receive special funding for its implementation.
Agus stated that the TNI is collaborating with the Ministry of Agriculture, which plays a leading role. "So, the funding is from the Ministry of Agriculture," he said.
Previously, the Head of the Information Center (Kapuspen) of the TNI, Major General Hariyanto, stated that the TNI is fully committed to supporting the success of the Free Nutritious Meals program. This support, he said, is a form of dedication to the people in strengthening food resilience and improving public health.
Kapuspen explained three main aspects of the duties of the TNI in supporting the Free Nutritious Meals program. The first is facilitating logistics. "Supporting the distribution of food supplies to target areas, including remote areas," said Hariyanto.
The second aspect, he said, concerns the operationalization of the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG). The TNI, through Regional Military Commands, Main Naval Bases, and Air Force Bases, will provide land for the construction of SPPG to prepare nutritious meals to be distributed to schools and pregnant women.
The third aspect relates to monitoring and evaluation. Hariyanto explained that TNI personnel will also help ensure the free nutritious meals program runs smoothly according to the government's target.