Former Nutrition Agency Chief Deyang Pledges Continued Support for Free Meals Program After Health-Related Resignation
Nanik Sudaryati Deyang resigned as head of Indonesia's National Nutrition Agency due to health issues but vowed to continue supporting the Free Nutritious Meals program. Agriculture Deputy Minister Sudaryono was named her successor.
Former Nutrition Agency Chief Deyang Pledges Continued Support for Free Meals Program After Health-Related Resignation
Nanik Sudaryati Deyang has pledged her continued support for Indonesia's Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program following her resignation as head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) due to health reasons. President Prabowo Subianto immediately appointed Agriculture Deputy Minister Sudaryono to lead the agency responsible for the ambitious nutrition initiative.
In a statement posted on Facebook Wednesday, Deyang emphasized that stepping down from her leadership position would not diminish her commitment to the program, which she described as a people-centered initiative designed to strengthen Indonesia's human capital development.
"Let's set the perception straight so we can align steps toward supporting MBG as a noble program intended to help shape a better future," Deyang wrote.
Program's Economic Impact
Deyang highlighted the program's role in stimulating grassroots economic activity by increasing demand for agricultural products from farmers and livestock breeders nationwide. She noted that producers experienced significant difficulties when the program was suspended during a recent three-week school holiday.
"Farmers and livestock breeders voiced discontent when their produce went unsold and prices dropped during the recent three-week school holiday and MBG suspension," she stated.
The MBG program, launched on January 6, 2025, as a flagship policy under President Prabowo's Asta Cita vision for Indonesia Emas 2045, is projected to create approximately 1.5 million jobs. Each kitchen employs around 50 people and works with five to ten local food suppliers, generating substantial employment opportunities across the archipelago.
Achievements During Brief Tenure
Despite leading BGN for less than two months, Deyang said she had established groundwork for improving the program's implementation, including replacing senior officials and conducting comprehensive evaluations. The government acknowledged her contributions, which included evaluating nearly 28,000 MBG kitchens, classifying 3,000 under quality standards, and halting expansion in areas with excess capacity.
As of May 2026, the program had reached 62.45 million beneficiaries through 29,225 kitchens nationwide, distributing more than 8.3 billion meal portions since its launch. The initiative targets 82.9 million beneficiaries, including children under five, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and school-aged children up to high school, addressing Indonesia's stunting rate of approximately 21.5% among children under five.
Health-Related Departure
Dirgayuza Setiawan, a special assistant to the president for communication and policy, confirmed that Deyang resigned to undergo heart treatment.
"Today, Madam Nanik Deyang bade farewell to President Prabowo to undergo heart treatment while stepping down from her leadership role at BGN," he said.
New Leadership Appointment
State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi announced Wednesday that President Prabowo would inaugurate Sudaryono as the new BGN chief at the State Palace. Sudaryono, who was appointed Deputy Minister of Agriculture on July 18, 2024, by former President Joko Widodo, brings agricultural policy experience to the nutrition agency.
"Mr. President has decided to appoint Mr. Sudaryono, currently agriculture deputy minister, to lead BGN," Prasetyo told reporters.
Born in Grobogan, Central Java, on January 23, 1985, Sudaryono serves as chairperson of the Indonesian Market Traders Association (APPSI) and holds a senior position in the Gerindra Party's Central Java branch.
The BGN was established on August 15, 2024, by President Joko Widodo to facilitate the MBG program before Prabowo took office. The Indonesian government allocated Rp335 trillion (approximately US$20.7 billion) for the program in the 2026 State Budget, though this was later reduced to Rp268 trillion (US$14.7 billion) in May 2026.