TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Prabowo Subianto has appointed former Deputy Agriculture Minister Sudaryono as the new head of the Indonesia's National Nutrition Agency (BGN), replacing Nanik Sudaryati Deyang, who resigned due to health reasons.
Sudaryono was inaugurated at the State Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi said Prabowo chose Sudaryono because he had been involved in the development of the Free Nutritious Meals (Makan Bergizi Gratis or MBG) program since its early stages, including discussions on its concept and technical implementation.
The appointment puts Sudaryono in charge of overseeing MBG, one of the government’s key programs under Prabowo’s administration.
A Longtime Prabowo Associate
Born in Grobogan, Central Java, on Jan. 23, 1985, Sudaryono is known as a figure who has long been associated with Prabowo.
Before entering politics, Sudaryono worked as Prabowo’s personal assistant for five years from 2009 to 2014.
He later joined the Gerindra Party and became chairman of the party’s Central Java chapter. He currently serves as deputy secretary-general of Gerindra.
Beyond politics, Sudaryono has been active in several organizations, including the Indonesian Farmers Harmony Association (HKTI), Tani Merdeka Indonesia (TMI), the Indonesian Raya Struggle Traders Association (PAPERA), and the Indonesian Market Traders Association (APPSI).
From Farmer’s Family to Government Official
Sudaryono was born into a farming family. His parents did not own their own farmland and worked as agricultural laborers.
In his personal website, Sudaryono recalled that he had to carry buckets of water nearly one kilometer from a village well to his home because his village faced clean water shortages, especially during the dry season.
Despite his background, Sudaryono pursued higher education and became the top graduate of SMA Taruna Nusantara in 2003.
He later received a scholarship to study at Japan’s National Defense Academy in 2004, where he studied mechanical engineering and earned a Bachelor of Engineering degree in 2009.
He continued his education at Swiss German University in Tangerang, earning a dual master’s degree in management and business administration in 2018. He later completed his doctoral studies in management and business at Bogor Agricultural University (IPB), receiving his doctorate in 2025.
Career Before Leading BGN
After serving as Prabowo’s personal assistant, Sudaryono began his professional career in 2014 as corporate secretary at Nusantara Energy.
He later became president director of Garuda TV in 2018, president director of PT Nusantara Telematics System in 2019, and chairman of PT Sahabat Sejati Sejahtera Farma in 2020.
In July 2024, he was appointed deputy agriculture minister by then-President Joko Widodo.
Agriculture and Food Self-Sufficiency Agenda
Before moving to BGN, Sudaryono built his public profile around agriculture and food security issues.
In several public appearances, he emphasized the importance of developing independent agriculture and achieving food self-sufficiency, an agenda aligned with Prabowo’s broader vision.
Sudaryono has also highlighted his experience studying in Japan, particularly how technology-based agricultural systems can improve farmers’ livelihoods, as an influence on his approach to policy.
In one occasion, he discussed fertilizer distribution reforms, saying that previously fertilizer management involved multiple ministries, hundreds of regional leaders, and 145 regulations.
He said the system was later simplified into a single regulation.
"The Agriculture Ministry registers the fertilizer needs, the list is given to Pupuk Indonesia, and Pupuk Indonesia distributes directly to farmers. It does not add to the budget, does not burden the state budget, and benefits 115 million farmers in Indonesia. A piece of paper can make fertilizer prices 20 percent cheaper," Sudaryono said.
As BGN chief, Sudaryono will now oversee the implementation of MBG, a program that requires coordination between nutrition, agriculture, and food supply systems across Indonesia.
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