Yogyakarta (ANTARA) – The Trade Ministry said Indonesia’s Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program could help balance basic commodity supply and demand by increasing purchases from farmers and livestock producers.
Trade Minister Budi Santoso said the program could increase demand for farm and livestock products because raw ingredients are needed before they are processed into meals.
Speaking during a working visit to Potrojayan Market in Sleman, Yogyakarta, on Monday, Santoso said the program could help balance commodity supply and demand.
He said the program also offered opportunities for livestock producers, noting that national egg production currently has a 12 percent surplus.
Santoso said the MBG program could absorb surplus eggs and chicken by incorporating them into meals served under the program.
He said the program could serve as a stabilizer between commodity supply and market demand, supporting a more efficient market ecosystem.
Santoso said stronger demand for domestic production would benefit the broader economy by ensuring that agricultural and livestock output is absorbed by the market.
He said a healthy market ecosystem would also support price stability because consistent demand would help keep production and supply balanced.
Santoso said the MBG program was not driving up basic commodity prices, adding that prices at Potrojayan Market remained relatively stable.
He said commodity prices at the market remained within government reference levels, indicating that the MBG program had not caused significant price increases.
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Translator: Agung Dwi, Asri Mayang Sari
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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