Additional Budget Allocation Increases Number of MBG Participants’ Benefits

Jakarta – The Indonesian government is committed to accelerating the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) which is aimed at improving the nutrition of Indonesian children, especially students.

The Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Dadan Hindayana said that there was a direction from President Prabowo directing all related parties to be involved in accelerating the implementation of this program.

“We are gathered to carry out the acceleration processes that need to be done, and this is cross-sectoral. Starting from planning at Bappenas, assistance from the Ministry of Defense, TNI, Polri, Minister of Villages, Minister of Cooperatives, Minister of UMKM, Minister of Home Affairs, then Minister of BUMN, and others,” said Dadan.

This program is a priority because its goal is to ensure that school children get enough nutrition so they can study well. This decision also received encouragement from President Prabowo Subianto who asked that the target of 82.9 million beneficiaries be achieved faster, namely in September 2025, not the end of the year.

“The main target of Rp71 trillion will be a maximum of 15 million to 17.5 million (beneficiaries). But the President asked for acceleration. Asking for acceleration means that 82.9 million must receive benefits by the end of the year,” Dadan continued.

Dadan explained that to realize this acceleration, new human resources will start operating at the end of July 2025. After that, they will need funds of Rp25 trillion to support the smooth acceleration of the MBG Program.

“Well, if the President wants acceleration, we will be ready in September, because our human resources will only be finished at the end of July, right? So, every month we will need Rp25 trillion for acceleration in 2025,” he concluded.

The Minister of Finance, Sri Mulyani Indrawati also expressed her support for the budget arrangement. The budget for this program will be increased by Rp100 trillion, which will lead to an increase in the number of distribution centers.

“If this Free Nutritious Meal Program is increased from Rp71 trillion to Rp171 trillion, the number of centers will increase and I hope this can have a significant impact on small and medium businesses throughout Indonesia,” said Sri Mulyani.

With the additional budget and support from various financial institutions, it is hoped that the MBG program can run more effectively, create equality, and improve the nutritional quality of the Indonesian people.