The government is considering allocating an additional budget of Rp140 trillion (US$8.6 billion) for the Free Nutritious Meals program this year, according to Coordinating Minister for Food, Zulkifli Hasan.
"By assessing the state budget first, the President may decide to increase the budget by Rp140 trillion in July or August," he informed in Serang, Banten, on Friday.
He explained that an additional budget is required for the program to reach more recipients.
Using the current budget of Rp71 trillion (US$ nearly 4.4 billion), the priority program of President Prabowo Subianto is aiming to cover three million schoolchildren in the January–April period and six million in April–August, he added.
"We are striving (for an additional budget)," he said.
The government officially rolled out the Free Nutritious Meals program on Monday after months of preparations and trials. The program is targeting schools and integrated health posts (posyandus) across 26 provinces.
On the day of its launch, several top officials reviewed the program's implementation at schools, including Primary and Secondary Education Minister Abdul Mu'ti, Cooperatives Minister Budi Setiadi, and Communication and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid.
Through the program, President Prabowo's administration aims to improve the nutritional intake of toddlers, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and schoolchildren up to the senior high school level.
This year, the government is seeking to provide free nutritious meals to at least 15 million beneficiaries. By the end of Prabowo's tenure in 2029, the program is expected to cover around 83 million recipients.
Currently, the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) is operating at least 190 special kitchens, known as nutrition fulfillment service units (SPPG), to prepare and distribute free nutritious meals to targeted citizens.
The government aims to make five thousand kitchens operational by mid-2025.
Related news: Free meals program to improve human resources: Indrawati
Related news: Leveraging free meals program to power up the economy
Translator: Devi Nindy, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Primayanti
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
