Speaking at the MBG Outlook event in Jakarta on Wednesday, BGN Deputy for Systems and Governance Tigor Pangaribuan said the main challenge ahead is ensuring the availability of food in large quantities without triggering inflation.
“Annual rice demand alone could reach up to 3 million tons, while each kitchen will require an average of 6 tons of vegetables per month,” he said.
Pangaribuan noted that the massive demand for raw materials is driven by the program’s rapid growth over a short period.
In January 2025, the number of Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPGs), or MBG kitchens, stood at only 190 units, following a challenging recruitment process.
However, after the introduction of various innovations and cross-institutional collaborations, the number surged to 19,198 units as of January 8, 2026.
The sharp increase in the number of kitchens aligns with the growing number of beneficiaries, which has so far reached around 55 million people nationwide.
BGN is targeting the establishment of 32,000 SPPGs by April 2026 to serve an estimated 82.9 million beneficiaries.
Pangaribuan added that the MBG program has secured a budget allocation of Rp268 trillion (approximately US$15.8 billion). However, he did not rule out the possibility of additional funding should the program’s needs continue to grow.
In its implementation, the agency is prioritizing three key aspects: the availability of SPPG infrastructure, human resources, and funding for food procurement.
Currently, most SPPG infrastructure is being developed independently by local communities and entrepreneurs.
To encourage greater private-sector participation, BGN is offering an incentive of Rp6 million per day—equivalent to around Rp144 million per month—for two years, aiming to attract businesses to build and manage SPPG infrastructure in a sustainable manner.
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Translator: Ahmad Muzdaffar, Raka Adji
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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