Government Prepares Protein Production to Support the 2026 Free Nutritional Meal Program
By: Riza Nur Hidayah
The government is strengthening protein-based food production capacity as a strategic step to ensure the smooth implementation of the Free Nutritional Meal Program (MBG), which will be fully implemented in 2026. As a nutrition observer, I see this policy as a crucial milestone in developing the quality of Indonesia’s human resources. The MBG program, designed to reach 82.9 million recipients, is the largest food intervention in history, and its success depends heavily on the country’s ability to provide adequate and stable sources of protein daily.
Coordinating Minister for Food, Zulkifli Hasan, emphasized that the government has prepared to increase protein food production capacity to meet the program’s surge in daily needs. He explained that the significant demand for eggs, fish, chicken, vegetables, and fruit cannot be met through old, stagnant production patterns. Over the past few years, the government has been quite successful in increasing the production of carbohydrate commodities such as rice and corn. Therefore, the focus is now shifting to strengthening protein production as a step to balance the community’s nutritional quality while ensuring the sustainability of the MBG.
Zulkifli Hasan explained that the government plans to build large-scale fish farms covering approximately 20,000 hectares in Java. This initiative represents a breakthrough that will strengthen national fish production, especially considering that demand is expected to increase significantly when the MBG program is fully implemented in 2026. Furthermore, the government is targeting the development of fish farms in 500 regencies and cities. The goal is to ensure equitable distribution of fish production and availability, so that even areas far from the coast can still access protein sources at stable prices.
This initiative is reinforced by the plan to develop 2,000 fishing villages by 2026 as part of strengthening the protein production ecosystem in the marine sector. The development of these fishing villages is not only about increasing production but also supporting the welfare of coastal communities through access to modern fishing gear, cold storage facilities, and export support facilities. According to Zulkifli Hasan, restructuring the protein production ecosystem will not only support MBG needs but also foster sustainable coastal economic growth.
He also emphasized that strengthening the livestock sector is a key pillar in maintaining the supply of animal protein. The government views the development of national-scale animal feed and chicken farming as crucial because the MBG program’s needs are substantial and require supplies from all production lines. By strengthening the poultry industry from upstream to downstream, the government hopes to ensure a year-round supply of chicken and eggs without causing price fluctuations in the market.
Support from the private sector also strengthens confidence that this program to strengthen protein production will run optimally. Danantara Chief Operating Officer, Dony Oskaria, confirmed that a major investment plan to support increased protein production capacity is currently undergoing a thorough review. He believes such investments are crucial for strengthening food security, particularly in meeting the demand for protein, which will increase dramatically with the implementation of the MBG program. Dony sees significant opportunities for the private sector to contribute through the construction of modern ponds, the development of industrial-scale livestock farms, and the strengthening of post-harvest technology.
According to him, collaboration between the government and private companies will be key to long-term success. With such a large daily protein requirement, the country cannot rely on a single source of funding. Multi-sector collaboration will ensure consistent production, minimize production risks, and reduce distribution costs through supply chain integration. Dony believes that the MBG program will not only improve public nutrition but also foster a modern agricultural ecosystem in Indonesia.
Support for the program to strengthen protein production also comes from the Ministry of Agriculture. Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman stated that the government has allocated Rp 371 trillion in investment to encourage downstreaming in the agriculture, plantation, livestock, and horticulture sectors. He believes this step will build a new foundation for a more efficient, modern, and value-added national food industry.
