President Prabowo Subianto’s key programs – Free Nutritious Meals (MBG), People’s School, and Merah Putih Village/Urban Cooperatives (Kopdes) – are being hailed as pathways to expedite poverty reduction. These initiatives not only hold the potential to create numerous employment opportunities but also foster economic autonomy. Head of Poverty Eradication Acceleration Agency (BP Taskin), Budiman Sudjatmiko, emphasized that the government’s aim goes beyond mere poverty alleviation, focusing on empowering individuals and promoting economic self-sufficiency.
Comparing the government’s strategy to a football game, Budiman likened the poor to players, aiming to equip them with skills, knowledge, adequate nutrition, and broader economic prospects. The government’s responsibility, he asserted, is to ensure a seamless transition from defense to offense to achieve the “goal” of poverty eradication. Sekolah Rakyat, a boarding school program, strives to break the poverty cycle, while MBG and Kopdes Merah Putih have the potential to bring economic advantages to entire communities.
Deputy Head of BP Taskin, Nanik S. Deyang, emphasized that these programs offer tangible hope for independence to underprivileged households. Boarding schools provide children with a conducive environment to nurture aspirations, while MBG’s large-scale operations create value for local producers. For instance, a small tofu-and-tempeh factory supplying MBG kitchens expanded its workforce from one to five or six employees. Similarly, vegetable and poultry traders experienced increased demand.
In addition to the economic benefits of MBG, Nanik highlighted Kopdes Merah Putih’s role in eliminating intermediaries in the supply chain. With Kopdes, the price of essential goods like 3-kilogram LPG cylinders can align with government rates, and farmers can access fertilizers at competitive prices without navigating through multiple layers of agents. Furthermore, Kopdes facilitates access to affordable credit, liberating individuals from exploitative lenders and offering capital on more favorable terms than traditional banks.
