President Prabowo Targets All Children to Get Access to Free Nutritious Food by End of 2025
Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto ensured that all children in Indonesia will have access to free nutritious food by the end of 2025 at the latest.
He realized that implementing this program was not easy, but emphasized that the government had prepared the budget.
“This nutritious food is physically not easy to immediately reach all the people. Therefore, I, Prabowo Subianto, President of the Republic of Indonesia, apologize to all parents and children who have not received it. But I am sure, by the end of 2025 all Indonesian children will be able to eat nutritious food,” said President Prabowo.
He explained that the main challenge was not only in physical distribution, but also in maintaining budget accountability.
“The process of securing funds so that they are not misused also takes time. But I emphasize, we must find the best and fastest way so that our children immediately feel the benefits,” he said.
The President also added that although this program is large and complex, the government has ensured that funding is available.
“This is a big project, not easy physically. But I guarantee, the funds are there. Indonesian children will definitely be able to eat nutritious food. Those who don’t need it, don’t join. Give your share to those who really need it,” he said.
Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Dadan Hindayana, said that by May 2025, the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program had reached 4.4 million beneficiaries through 1,583 National Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG) in all provinces.
“As of May, we have served 4.4 million people in 1,583 SPPGs in 38 provinces. Initially, there were only 190 SPPGs and 300-400 recipients,” said Dadan.
He targeted the number of recipients to jump to 20 million in August, covering pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, toddlers, and students from pre-school to high school as well as Islamic boarding school students.
Dadan considers this program as a strategic investment to realize the golden generation of 2045.
“The long-term benefits are huge, but in the short term we are already seeing the impact, for example increasing student attendance from 70-75 percent to 95 percent,” he said.
In West Papua, the Teluk Wondama Regency Government began implementing the MBG Program in June 2025 for 4,926 students in three districts.
Regent Elysa Auri emphasized the use of local raw materials so that this program can also drive the community’s economy.
“Shopping for raw materials does not come out of Wondama. Local traders have been prepared,” he said.
