A staff member loads lunch plates on the first day of a free-meal programme at Muhammadiyah high school in Sidoarjo on January 6, 2025. Photo by Juni KRISWANTO / AFP
Jakarta: Indonesia aims to reach 82.9 million beneficiaries under the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program by March 2026, Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan said on Tuesday.
"It is estimated that by March 2026, we will have reached 82.9 million recipients," Hasan said in Jakarta.
He noted that the government continues to strengthen and evaluate MBG governance to ensure smooth implementation across the country. Hasan, who leads the inter-agency coordination team, said tighter supervision will extend to the village level through cooperation between the ministries of health and home affairs.
"Governors, regents, mayors, sub-district heads, and even village officials will be involved. This oversight will allow community health centers and local health offices to conduct routine evaluations," he said.
Meanwhile, National Nutrition Agency Deputy Head Nanik S. Deyang said that a budget of 71 trillion rupiah could cover at least 40 million recipients by the end of 2025, while additional allocations would extend the reach to 82.9 million people by March 2026.
