She underscored that the food initiative serves as one of the priority programs of the administration of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka and has been incorporated into the National Middle Term Development Plan (RPJMN) for the 2025-2029 period.
In her office's statement received here, Haluk told local residents that the government had allocated a budget of Rp71 trillion (nearly US$4.5 billion) for next year's program implementation, which will involve the operations of around five thousand nutritious meal service units across Indonesia.
The deputy minister also revealed the National Nutrition Agency's plan to conduct program trials in 100 districts and cities, starting from the fourth week of November until December 2024, with the help of 102 service units.
She revealed that during the trials, the government will distribute a meal package worth Rp15 thousand (around US$1) to 306 thousand recipients.
"The success of this program will be the foundation for the development and broader implementation of the program in subsequent years," she pointed out.
Furthermore, the former acting governor of Central Papua explained that the meal program aims to boost the nutritional intake of the people, especially children and pregnant women.
"As a mentor and supervisor of regional governments, the Ministry of Home Affairs will always support the implementation of this program, with the aim of strengthening local governments," she stated.
To that end, Haluk urged regional leaders to take several measures, including ensuring reliable infrastructure for every nutrition service unit operating in their regions.
Second, the official emphasized the importance of regions guiding and assisting farmers; micro, small, and medium enterprises; and cooperatives in participating in the program as suppliers of the required food ingredients.
Elaborating on her third instruction, Haluk highlighted the need to provide accurate and reliable data on the targeted recipients of nutritious meals.
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Translator: Narda M, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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