TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan or Zulhas has revealed that the current Rp71 trillion budget allocated for the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program is only sufficient to sustain operations until June 2025. Furthermore, the available funds are inadequate to cover all school-aged children across Indonesia.

During a limited coordination meeting on food matters held at the Grahadi Building in Surabaya, East Java, Zulhas highlighted the budgetary constraints. “Currently, Rp71 trillion will only last until June. Next year, if we aim to implement the program comprehensively from January, we need a budget of Rp420 trillion,” stated the National Mandate Party (PAN) General Chair on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.

Zulhas further elaborated that a full-year implementation of the MBG program from January to December would require a substantial budget of Rp420 trillion. “Imagine the magnitude of annual food spending. This needs a significant effort,” he added.

The additional budget of Rp140 trillion proposed in June is earmarked to fund the MBG program from July to December 2025. Concurrently, the National Nutrition Agency intends to increase the number of children benefiting from the program.

However, Zulhas underscored the importance of ensuring the availability of domestic food supplies. He highlighted East Java as the National Food Barn.

The selection of East Java as the venue for the coordination meeting was deliberate. This province, renowned as a key contributor to national food production, serves as a strategic location for discussions on crucial steps in supporting the MBG program.

“We hope that East Java can serve as a model in preparing adequate food production for this program. The success achieved in this region can then be replicated in other areas,” concluded Zulhas.

The Free Nutritious Meals program is one of President Prabowo Subianto's flagship initiatives aimed at enhancing the nutritional status of Indonesian children. Given the existing budgetary limitations and logistical challenges, the successful implementation of this program hinges heavily on the concerted efforts of all stakeholders involved.

Hanaa Septiana contributed to writing this article

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