JAKARTA – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has appointed Deputy Agriculture Minister Sudaryono as the new head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), with officials citing his long involvement in designing the government's flagship Free Nutritious Meals (Makan Bergizi Gratis or MBG) program as the main reason behind the decision.
Sudaryono will replace Nanik Sudaryati Deyang, who resigned after serving only 45 days as BGN chief.
Picked for His Role in MBG Planning
State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi said Sudaryono had been involved in the MBG program since its early conception, helping formulate its technical framework and implementation strategy.
"Since the beginning, he has been involved and together with all of us discussed, proposed, and conceptualized the technical implementation of nutritious meals," Prasetyo said at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday, July 22, 2026.
The appointment underscores Prabowo's efforts to ensure continuity in one of his signature programs, which aims to provide free meals to millions of students and vulnerable groups nationwide.
Agriculture Experience Seen as Key
Beyond his role in planning the MBG initiative, Sudaryono's experience at the Agriculture Ministry was also considered an important factor.
According to Prasetyo, the ministry plays a crucial role in securing food supplies and building the ecosystem needed to support the nationwide feeding program.
"So far, the ecosystem has been supported and sustained by the Ministry of Agriculture, where Mr. Sudaryono is assigned," he said.
The government has increasingly emphasized strengthening food supply chains and improving the quality of meal distribution following challenges faced during the early stages of the program's rollout.
Longtime Prabowo Ally
Sudaryono is also known as one of Prabowo's closest associates.
Before joining the cabinet, he served as Prabowo's personal assistant and later became a key figure within the Gerindra Party. His longstanding ties with the president are seen as another reason why Prabowo entrusted him with overseeing one of his flagship policies.
Prasetyo said Sudaryono would be sworn in on Wednesday and would immediately assume the position as a definitive agency head rather than in an acting capacity.
He also confirmed that Sudaryono would step down as deputy agriculture minister, ruling out any dual-office arrangement.
"There are no plans to hold dual positions," Prasetyo said.
Nanik Resigned Over Health Reasons
Nanik announced her resignation through a Facebook post earlier this week, saying she wanted to focus on her heart health.
She also expressed gratitude for having assisted Prabowo in implementing the free meals program after supporting him for more than a decade.
"For fourteen years following him, I know exactly that the MBG program is not for political purposes as accused by people," she wrote on Wednesday.
In the same post, Nanik hinted at her successor, describing the incoming BGN chief as someone close to her and akin to a sibling.
A Tempo source within BGN had earlier identified Sudaryono as the frontrunner to replace her.
Apart from his government duties, Sudaryono currently serves as chairman of the Indonesian Farmers Harmony Association (HKTI) for the 2025-2030 period, a position previously held by Prabowo himself.
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