Ilona Estherina, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto has set a target of reaching 20 million beneficiaries of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program by August 2025.
According to Tigor Pangaribuan, Deputy for System and Governance at the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), efforts are now focused on expanding kitchen facilities to meet that goal.
Tigor said the government currently operates around 4,100 Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG) across the country, which serve 8.4 million recipients. To hit the 20 million mark, the number of kitchens must be increased to at least 7,000 this month.
"That's why everyone is working morning, afternoon, and night," he said during the International Forum on Global Learning in the Implementation of the Nutritious Meal Provision Program on Thursday, August 7, 2025.
He explained that infrastructure is one of three key components to accelerate distribution, along with funding and human resources. The government has already allocated Rp71 trillion from the state budget, but the main challenge lies in its implementation.
To further expand the program, BGN is aiming to establish 30,000 SPPGs nationwide by the end of 2025. Each kitchen unit will be managed by a team of three: a graduate in agricultural development, a nutritionist, and an accountant. These professionals will be employed directly by BGN.
President Prabowo previously announced this target during his speech at the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) Congress in Solo, Central Java, on July 20, 2025. "We may even reach more than 25 million [recipients] in August," he said.
The Free Nutritious Meal program is part of the government's effort to improve nutrition and food security across Indonesia, especially among school-age children and underprivileged communities.
– Hendrik Yaputra contributed to the writing of this article.