“Praise be to God, we have transferred Rp60 trillion out of the MBG budget of Rp268 trillion (US$15.6 billion) to the virtual accounts of kitchens,” he remarked in Padang City, West Sumatra, on Wednesday.
He explained that MBG funds channeled between January and April 2026 had helped stimulate regional economies across Indonesia, citing significant welfare impacts in Jember District, East Java.
Prior to MBG rollout, he said, orange farmers in Jember struggled with prices as low as Rp4,000 (under US$0.30) per kilogram, which later rose to Rp10,000 (around US$0.60) following increased demand driven by the program.
He attributed the pricing trend to the fact that each MBG kitchen, officially known as a nutrition fulfillment service unit (SPPG), requires large quantities of commodities to produce free meals, including five tonnes of rice per month.
Hindayana emphasized that "the MBG program empowers communities" through the absorption of locally sourced goods such as food, vegetables, chicken eggs, and milk by SPPGs.
Bearing that in mind, the BGN chief called on all stakeholders and the wider public to fully support the program, highlighting its extensive and multifaceted impacts on society.
He noted that beyond spurring equitable economic growth, the MBG program is aimed at boosting human resource quality by improving the nutritional intake of pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and under-five children.
"By preventing stunting since an early age, we can expect to welcome a generation of healthy and smart talents," Hindayana remarked.
Since its January 2025 launch, the program has served nearly 62 million people across the archipelago, supported by more than 26,000 SPPGs, and created jobs for over one million citizens.
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Translator: M. Zulfikar, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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