RADAR TULUNGAGUNG – The Free Nutritious Meals Program has become one of the biggest economic discussions in Indonesia after Prabowo Subianto claimed the initiative could circulate billions of rupiah directly into villages every year. During a recent speech, Prabowo explained how the program, combined with Merah Putih Village Cooperatives, could strengthen local economies, support small producers, and reduce dependence on large market chains.
According to Prabowo, the Free Nutritious Meals Program is not only designed to improve children’s nutrition, but also to create sustainable economic activity in rural areas. He estimated that money generated from the program could circulate continuously inside villages instead of flowing out to large corporations or foreign markets.
Prabowo illustrated the impact by calculating daily spending connected to the Free Nutritious Meals Program. He said around 3,000 meal portions priced at Rp15,000 each could generate Rp45 million in daily circulation inside one village area. If the activity continues throughout the month and year, the total value could reach more than Rp10 billion annually.
Free Nutritious Meals Program Boosts Village Economy
Prabowo emphasized that the circulation of money inside villages would create direct benefits for local farmers and small businesses. He explained that catfish farmers, onion growers, egg sellers, and tempe producers could immediately supply products for the program.
The policy, he said, could shorten distribution chains and reduce logistics costs because villagers would no longer depend heavily on distant markets.
“Markets will exist inside the village itself,” Prabowo stated during the speech.
He also compared the economic impact with the existing village fund system. Previously, villages only received around Rp1 billion in village funds, but the Free Nutritious Meals Program could potentially add more than Rp10 billion in economic turnover within the same area.
The statement reflects the government’s broader strategy to strengthen domestic consumption while empowering rural communities. Economic activity generated by the Free Nutritious Meals Program is expected to spread across villages, subdistricts, and regencies throughout Indonesia.
Merah Putih Village Cooperatives Become Economic Backbone
In the speech, Prabowo also linked the Free Nutritious Meals Program with the development of Merah Putih Village Cooperatives. He argued that the cooperatives would become the backbone for rural economic distribution and financing.
Prabowo criticized what he described as a neoliberal free-market system dominated by large capital owners. According to him, excessive dependence on free markets could cause public money to flow overseas instead of remaining within Indonesia’s domestic economy.
He claimed the combination of Free Nutritious Meals Program and Merah Putih Village Cooperatives would help revive the national economy from the grassroots level.
The president also admitted that implementing such a massive program would not be easy. He acknowledged the existence of challenges, including governance problems and weak integrity among some officials.
Government Warns Officials Against Corruption
Prabowo openly warned government officials not to misuse authority related to the Free Nutritious Meals Program. He stressed that his administration would take firm action against anyone involved in corruption or abuse of power.
He stated that officials lacking integrity could damage programs intended to help ordinary citizens. Therefore, the government would not hesitate to remove individuals proven to violate regulations.
Despite concerns about implementation, Prabowo insisted that public support for the Free Nutritious Meals Program remains strong. He claimed many farmers and rural residents asked the government not to stop the initiative because it directly helps families and children access food.
The program has become one of the flagship policies under Prabowo’s administration, especially in efforts to improve welfare and reduce inequality between urban and rural regions.
Cheap Credit and Industrialization Plans
Besides focusing on food and cooperatives, Prabowo revealed plans to expand cheap financing access for small communities through Merah Putih Village Cooperatives.
He mentioned that the government would distribute affordable loans to rural residents and micro-business owners. Prabowo specifically highlighted the ultra-micro financing program managed by Permodalan Nasional Madani.
According to him, the previous interest rates, which reached above 20 percent, were too high for small borrowers. He ordered officials to reduce the rates to below 10 percent to make financing more accessible for ordinary Indonesians.
Prabowo added that village cooperatives, fisheries development, downstream industries, and industrialization would become interconnected pillars of Indonesia’s future economic growth strategy.
The government hopes the Free Nutritious Meals Program and Merah Putih Village Cooperatives can create stronger village economies while increasing local production, employment opportunities, and national economic resilience.