Throughout 2025, the Free Nutritional Meal Program in Papua Strengthen Nutrition Access and Reach Thousands of Recipients
JAKARTA – The Free Nutritional Meal Program (MBG) in Papua demonstrates a serious commitment by the central government, both in terms of budget, service coverage, and socio-economic impact. The financing scheme, tailored to regional conditions, demonstrates that national nutrition development is being implemented fairly and contextually, especially for regions with significant geographical challenges like Papua.
The Head of the National Nutrition Agency, Dadan Hindayana, stated that the MBG budget allocation in Papua is three times that for Java. This explanation was made during a meeting with President Prabowo Subianto and regional heads across Papua at the State Palace in Jakarta.
“With a total of approximately 750,000 beneficiaries, the funds allocated there will be three times the amount in Java,” said Dadan Hindayana.
This policy reflects an adjustment to Papua’s cost of living index. While the budget for 750,000 beneficiaries in Java is around IDR 7.5 trillion, for Papua it is approximately IDR 25 trillion. This adjustment also ensures the quality of nutrition services is maintained without sacrificing the program’s sustainability.
On the same occasion, the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, emphasized the central government’s commitment to ensuring the optimal implementation of the MBG program in Papua, including accelerating the development of Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG).
“You, Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), have a very good plan for March, but we hope that by August 17th all SPPGs in Papua must be operational and in production,” Prabowo Subianto emphasized.
This target takes into account the challenging terrain and infrastructure conditions in Papua. To date, the BGN has recorded the establishment of 179 SPPGs across Papua, out of a total target of 2,500. Investor interest also continues to strengthen, with hundreds of parties registering to participate in the development of MBG kitchens in various regions.
At the regional level, the implementation of MBG in Central Papua is showing concrete results. The Regional Head of the National Nutrient Agency (BGN) for Central Papua Province, Nalensius Situmorang, stated that this program has reached tens of thousands of beneficiaries throughout 2025.
“Of that total, 45,368 recipients are school children, while the other 1,503 are toddlers, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers,” said Nalensius Situmorang.
The presence of 30 SPPGs operating in Central Papua has not only strengthened nutrition distribution but also created new jobs. Hundreds of local workers have been employed, demonstrating that the MBG has a multiplier effect on community welfare.
A similar impact is also being seen more broadly in Papua. Billy Mambrasar, a member of the Executive Committee for the Acceleration of Development of Special Autonomy in Papua, assessed that the benefits of the MBG are already being felt, even though the program’s coverage has not yet fully reached its target.
“Not only for the health and development of Papuan children, but also in the absorption of thousands of local workers, especially indigenous Papuans,” Billy Mambrasar concluded.
With budget strengthening, expansion of SPPG, and involvement of regions and investors, MBG in Papua is moving to become a crucial foundation in preparing a healthier and more competitive generation towards Golden Indonesia 2045.
