Free Nutritious Meals Cost IDR 10,000 Per Child, Says President
President Prabowo Subianto announced that the cost per portion of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program will be IDR 10,000, a reduction from the initial budget of IDR 15,000. This adjustment, announced on Friday, 29/11/2024, is due to budget constraints.
“On average, we aim to provide IDR 10,000 per child per day. While we initially aimed for IDR 15,000, budget limitations have required us to adjust,” said Prabowo in a statement at the President’s Office.
“We believe that IDR 10,000 will be sufficient to provide nutritious meals in these areas.
Prabowo elaborated on the impact of this budget, stating that a family with an average of 3-4 children could receive IDR 30,000 daily in nutritious food through the program. This equates to IDR 2.7 million per month for those families.
The MBG program aims to combat malnutrition, ensuring that all children and pregnant women access nutritious meals. The president expressed confidence that this program, combined with existing social assistance and welfare programs, would encompass all socioeconomic groups, including labor groups.
### Flexible Implementation Across Regions
Dadan Hindayana, Head of the National Nutrition Agency, explained that the IDR 15,000 allocation per child in the National Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBN) is merely a guideline.
“Implementation will be flexible and tailored to each region’s economic circumstances”, he clarified during a press conference at the Presidential Palace on Tuesday, 26/11/2024.
Dadan further explained, “Regions with a lower cost of food will receive adjusted funding, with any excess portion redistributed to areas that require more budgetary support.”
He emphasized that the agency doesn’t determine specific menu details, focusing instead on establishing national dietary guidelines for nutritional composition. Each service unit will be responsible for tailoring the menu based on local needs.
“We will assign a nutrition expert to each service unit to ensure meals are both nutritious and cater to local preferences,” Dadan assured.
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What mechanisms can be put in place to monitor and evaluate the impact of the budget cuts on the nutritional status of the beneficiaries?
## Interview: Free Nutritious Meals Program Faces Budget Cuts
**Interviewer:** Joining us today is Alex Reed, a [Alex Reed Title/Expertise] with expertise in [Relevant Field]. President Prabowo recently announced a reduction in the cost per portion of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program. Can you provide your perspective on this development?
**Alex Reed:** Certainly. The announcement that the MBG program’s cost per child will be lowered to IDR 10,000 is significant. While the initial budget was IDR 15,000, the President cited budget constraints as the reason for this adjustment.
**Interviewer:** What are your thoughts on the potential impact of this reduction on the program’s effectiveness?
**Alex Reed:** My concern is that IDR 10,000 might not be sufficient to provide truly nutritious meals, especially considering the rising cost of food. The goal is to combat malnutrition and ensure access to essential nutrients for vulnerable children and pregnant women. A lower budget might compromise the nutritional quality of the meals.
**Interviewer:** President Prabowo emphasized that IDR 10,000 would still be sufficient. He highlighted the potential benefit for families with multiple children, mentioning that they could receive IDR 30,000 daily through the program. How do you view this argument?
**Alex Reed:** While the President’s calculations seem mathematically sound, the reality of food prices and nutritional needs must be considered. It’s not just about quantity; it’s crucial to ensure the meals are balanced and provide the necessary vitamins and minerals.
**Interviewer:** Looking ahead, what are the key challenges the MBG program needs to navigate to ensure its success?
**Alex Reed:** Transparency in budgeting and procurement, rigorous quality control for the meals, and ongoing monitoring of the program’s impact on nutritional levels will be crucial. Collaboration with nutrition experts and community stakeholders can also play a vital role in ensuring the effectiveness of the MBG program. [[1](https://jakartaglobe.id/news/prabowos-free-meal-program-targets-15-million-students-in-2025)]
