Kupang – The East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) is strengthening its support for the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) Kitchen program in underdeveloped, frontier, and outermost (3T) areas to expand access to nutritious food for people in remote regions.

Chairman of the NTT Provincial Kadin, Bobby Lianto, said the program supports the government’s efforts to address stunting while also stimulating the local economy.

According to Bobby, there are 60 3T MBG Kitchen sites in South Central Timor (Timor Tengah Selatan) that previously did not have parties responsible for their development. Geographical conditions pose a major challenge, as some locations can only be reached by crossing rivers and mountainous terrain, while road access remains limited.

“This is a calling for all of us,” Bobby said in Kupang on August 14, 2026.

Bobby explained the reasons behind Kadin’s decision to take responsibility for developing the kitchens. The NTT Provincial Kadin, together with its network, subsequently formed a consortium to develop the 60 sites, which had previously been at risk of being returned to the central government.

In addition to South Central Timor, development support also covers Rote, Sabu, Ende, Alor, East Sumba, West Sumba, and Manggarai in NTT. Overall, nearly 70 3T MBG Kitchen units are still under construction and have yet to become fully operational.

“But that is the challenge we must take on in the pursuit of social justice for all Indonesian people,” Bobby said.

According to Bobby, funding for the development has so far come from the business community, investors, and Kadin members committed to supporting the program.

The 3T MBG Kitchen program, Bobby said, also creates opportunities for local farmers and livestock breeders to sustainably supply food needs. He noted that establishing a reliable local supply requires a gradual process because food supplies must be consistently available and cannot be repeatedly disrupted.

“NTT greatly needs 3T MBG Kitchens,” Bobby said.

He said the program addresses the region’s high stunting rate. He also expressed hope that the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) managers would promptly complete the system renewal process so that the kitchens that have already been built can resume operations as soon as possible.