Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Indonesia’s free meal program, spearheaded by President-elect Prabowo Subianto, is projected to require Rp800 billion (approximately $52 million) per day, according to Dadan Hindayana, Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN).
Speaking at the BNI Investor Daily Summit 2024, Dadan disclosed that the Indonesia’s free meal program will provide meals to millions of citizens nationwide, aiming to address the country’s nutritional challenges.
The program, once fully implemented, is expected to serve 82.9 million people across Indonesia. The total budget for the initiative will reach Rp400 trillion ($26 billion) annually, making it one of the most extensive and costly nutrition programs ever undertaken by the government. Initial estimates placed the budget at Rp71 trillion ($4.6 billion), but upon further analysis, daily costs have soared to Rp1.2 trillion ($78 million), with 75% of the funds allocated to the free meal intervention.
“We’re talking about a massive operation,” Dadan explained, “75% of the daily Rp1.2 trillion will go towards ensuring free nutritious meals for children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers. This translates to Rp800 billion spent every day.”
Each service unit, which caters to around 3,000 children, requires significant quantities of food daily—200 kilograms of rice, 350 kilograms of vegetables, 350 kilograms of chicken, and 3,000 eggs. With the program projected to expand to 30,000 service units nationwide, the logistical needs are considerable.
The benefits of the program extend beyond nutrition. Dadan revealed that the free meal initiative will generate substantial job opportunities. Each unit requires 45-46 workers for meal preparation, especially in rural areas where traditional cooking methods are still employed. This is expected to create approximately 1.5 million new jobs.
University Student Found Dead at Untar Campus, Suspected Suicide
“The program not only addresses nutrition but also stimulates rural economies through job creation,” Dadan added.
With its scale and budget, this program marks a significant investment in both public health and economic growth for Indonesia.
(Becky)
