Indonesia Explores Productive Waqf for Food Security and MBG Program

Enhancing National Food Security Through Innovative Financing

The Indonesian government has launched the Makan Bergizi Gratis (MBG) program, a comprehensive national initiative aimed at ensuring access to healthy and quality food for vulnerable populations, including school children, pregnant women, and other at-risk groups. This ambitious program is not merely a welfare initiative but a strategic effort to strengthen national food security, maintain supply chains, and improve long-term nutrition.

The Role of Productive Waqf in Supporting MBG

While the MBG program represents a significant commitment by the government, its success requires more than just state budget allocations. It necessitates new sources of economic energy through public participation. This is where the concept of productive waqf becomes particularly relevant. Traditionally, waqf has been associated with the development of mosques, madrasas, and other social facilities. However, in Islamic tradition, waqf is also recognized as an economic engine that can drive various productive activities through the management of orchards, markets, agricultural land, and other productive assets.

Transforming Waqf into a Sustainable Economic Force

The Indonesian government is now exploring how to transform the traditional concept of waqf into a more productive and sustainable economic model. By leveraging waqf assets for economic activities, the government aims to create a more robust financial foundation for social programs like MBG. This approach not only helps in sustaining the program financially but also contributes to broader economic empowerment within the community.