In an exclusive interview with ANTARA in Jakarta on Thursday, PCO Deputy for Dissemination and Information Media Noudhy Valdryno noted that the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has consistently met its short-term goals for the program.
He emphasized that as the main executor of the MBG program, BGN remains fully committed to advancing the initiative, including by building human resource capacity.
To that end, the agency has been setting up more MBG kitchens and plans to assign graduates of the Defense Ministry’s Indonesian Development Pioneer Scholars (SPPI) program to staff them.
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“In other words, the government has prepared everything needed in this month of independence,” Valdryno said.
Given the current level of readiness, he expressed confidence that at least 20 million people will have received meals through the program by August 17—mirroring this year’s national theme: “United and Sovereign, Prosperous People, and Advanced Indonesia.”
As of early August 2025, the MBG program has reached about eight million recipients across the country, including schoolchildren, toddlers, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers.
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Valdryno also expressed hope that the program will hit its year-end goal of 82.9 million beneficiaries.
“The government is determined to provide free nutritious meals to as many Indonesian children as possible,” he affirmed.
He added that the government views Indonesia’s independence as a foundation for progress in nutrition, health, education, and the economy.
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Translator: Agatha O, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: M Razi Rahman
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
