By: Andhika Rahman
The Government of Indonesia has once again demonstrated its strong commitment to national nutrition security through the steadily increasing realization of the budget for the Free Nutritious Meal Program (Makan Bergizi Gratis/MBG) throughout 2025. The latest data from the Ministry of Finance shows that budget absorption for this strategic program has reached IDR 52.9 trillion, equivalent to approximately 74.6 percent of the total allocated budget of IDR 71 trillion. This figure is not merely a statistic, but a tangible symbol of the successful implementation of national policies that prioritize the welfare of the broader community.
The MBG Program itself is designed as a government initiative to improve the nutritional status of the population, particularly vulnerable groups such as schoolchildren, toddlers, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers. Through an inclusive and structured approach, the program not only provides healthy and nutritious food, but also ensures that access to quality nutrition becomes a basic right enjoyed by all segments of society. As of mid-December 2025, more than 50.7 million people have benefited from the MBG program—an achievement that reflects remarkable growth since its launch early last year.
Deputy Minister of Finance Suahasil Nazara stated that the Free Nutritious Meal Program has absorbed a budget of IDR 52.9 trillion, equal to 74.6 percent of the total State Budget allocation of IDR 71 trillion. The beneficiaries include children, students, and pregnant women.
This success in budget absorption also reflects efficiency in field implementation. It is not only about high figures, but also about equitable distribution of services across various regions throughout the archipelago. To date, more than 17,555 Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (Satuan Pelayanan Pemenuhan Gizi/SPPG) have been established and are actively providing services to communities, spreading from major cities to remote areas.
These developments indicate that the government’s efforts to strengthen nutrition security are not half-hearted, but rather an integral part of Indonesia’s strategy to develop superior human resources. Nutrition security, which forms the foundation of long-term public health, is now positioned as a national priority. Through the MBG program, the government sends a strong signal that investment in the quality of public nutrition will produce a future generation that is healthier, more productive, and highly competitive. In a broader context, this initiative is also part of the grand vision toward Indonesia Emas 2045, where high-quality human resources serve as the main pillar of national progress.
The successful absorption of IDR 52.9 trillion is also the result of collaboration among institutions at both central and regional levels. The Ministry of Finance, together with the National Nutrition Agency (Badan Gizi Nasional/BGN), actively monitors and accelerates program implementation, ensuring that every rupiah allocated truly reaches its intended beneficiaries. The government has even planned to accelerate the development of thousands of additional nutrition service units in 2026, particularly in underdeveloped, frontier, and outermost regions (3T), to bridge regional disparities in access to healthy nutrition. This focus on equity underscores that the government’s commitment is not merely to statistical achievements, but to the social realities on the ground.
Head of the National Nutrition Agency, Dadan Hindayana, stated the institution’s commitment to build around 8,200 additional SPPG units or MBG kitchens in 2026. This development will be focused on remote areas to ensure equitable fulfillment of nutrition rights nationwide. With this planned infrastructure expansion, the government is optimistic about achieving the service target for all 82.9 million beneficiaries that have been previously planned.
In an effort to reach these more ambitious targets, the government is also continuously strengthening the human resources that will operate the new service units, including through formal recruitment channels such as PPPK and CPNS. This step not only increases service capacity but also enhances the professionalism of program implementation across Indonesia. The target to complete these recruitment processes by early 2026 demonstrates the government’s seriousness in delivering maximum service quality.
Looking at developments throughout 2025, it is clear that the MBG Program is not merely a social assistance initiative. It is a strategic step to break the cycle of poor nutrition that has long affected segments of Indonesian society. The realization of a IDR 52.9 trillion budget with optimal absorption shows that the national commitment to nutrition security is not rhetoric, but concrete action that continues to grow and remain sustainable. Amid various challenges, the government continues to innovate and strengthen cross-sector collaboration to ensure that every child, mother, and family in Indonesia has equal access to adequate nutrition.
With such a strong foundation, Indonesia is moving steadily toward a future that is healthier, stronger, and more competitive. Effective absorption of the MBG budget not only proves the government’s seriousness, but also reaffirms that nutrition security is a fundamental pillar in building a progressive and prosperous nation.