Launched as a key initiative under the Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka administration, the MBG program has been underway in Tangerang City since August 2024. Officials, including ministers from the Joko Widodo administration and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, have visited the area to review the program’s implementation for students.

Since its start on August 5, the program has been implemented in 76 elementary and middle schools across Tangerang City. The Tangerang City Education Office (Dindik) plans to expand the initiative to cover 99 schools by the end of November 2024.

“By the end of November 2024, the target is for 99 schools and around 70,000 students to benefit from this program. The program’s management is improving, with better portioning and flavors that students in Tangerang City enjoy,” said Tangerang City Education Office Head Jamaluddin, on Wednesday, Oct. 30.

Jamaluddin stated that the MBG program goes beyond simply providing nutritious meals in schools. It also aims to promote healthier habits, improve eating patterns, and foster healthy behavior among children from an early age.

In a related development, Indonesia has allocated Rp71 trillion for the MBG program in the 2025 state budget. This was confirmed by the Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs, Zulkifli Hasan, after a meeting with various ministries and agencies under the Coordinating Ministry for Food Affairs at the Ministry of Trade Office in Jakarta.

“The budget for this nutritious food program totals Rp71 trillion: Rp63.356 trillion for national nutrition fulfillment and Rp7.433 trillion for the management support program,” the Coordinating Minister stated, as cited by Infopublik on Wednesday, Oct. 30.

This significant budget allocation targets approximately 19.47 million people, including students, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers. President Prabowo Subianto has emphasized the importance of effective implementation of the MBG program, highlighting the broad network involved, from schools and farmers to livestock breeders, transporters, nutritionists, and local governments.

The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) serves as the executive coordinator for the MBG program. The head of the agency, Dadan Hindayana, Head of BGN, reported that they have established 85 service units for implementing the MBG program.

These service units will cater to 3.000 students who are receiving free meals, serving as both meal preparation centers and off-takers for sourcing local agricultural products.

“We have established almost 85 service units. Each facility construction costs around Rp1.2 billion to Rp1.5 billion, with equipment costs at approximately Rp700 million,” Dadan explained during a Public Hearing (RDP) with the Indonesian Parliament's Commission IX in Central Jakarta on Thursday, Oct. 31.

The National Nutrition Agency BGN is also set to conduct MBG trials at 100 sites by the end of 2024. However, most trial locations will be in Java due to the region’s higher student concentration.

For distribution, BGN will implement three methods. First, by setting up central kitchens. Second, by establishing kitchens in schools or pesantren (Islamic boarding schools) with a minimum of 2,000 students. Third, for remote areas that are hard to reach within 30 minutes, BGN will deliver vacuum-sealed food packages weekly or monthly, offering a variety of menus.

Boosting GDP

In a virtual discussion on Thursday, Oct. 17, the Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (Indef) projected that the MBG program could contribute Rp4,510 trillion to Indonesia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2025. This estimate is based on the Rp71 trillion allocation for the 2025 MBG program, targeting around 19.47 million people, including students, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers.

Indef’s Executive Director, Esther Sri Astuti, noted that the program’s impact on GDP is expected to grow as both the number of participants and the budget increase. For instance, with a projected budget of Rp109.7 trillion and 30.46 million recipients in 2026, the program could contribute Rp6,967.2 trillion to the GDP.

This impact could further increase in 2027 and 2028, reaching Rp9,479.4 trillion and Rp14,219.1 trillion. In 2027, the budget allocation is estimated at Rp149.2 trillion with 41.45 million recipients, while in 2028, the allocation may increase to Rp223.8 trillion, serving 62.17 million recipients. By 2029, with an estimated budget of Rp298.4 trillion and 82.9 million recipients, the GDP impact could reach Rp18,958.8 trillion.

Writer: Kristantyo Wisnubroto

Editors: Ratna Nuraini/Taofiq Rauf/Siti Chodijah

Translator: Ratna Puspa Merdika