Sri Mulyani Reveals Free Nutrition Food Budget Potentially Increases To IDR 171 Trillion

JAKARTA - The government plans to increase the budget for a free nutritious food program (MBG) of IDR 100 trillion, bringing it to IDR 171 trillion by 2025.

Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati conveyed that the distribution of MBG is currently in the implementation stage and has been running for approximately three weeks which is carried out in stages from the number of targeted schools and MBG production centers.

According to Sri Mulyani, the purpose of this program is to ensure that Indonesian children who go to school get sufficient nutritional intake, so that they can study optimally. This program is an important and long-term investment, although it requires a large budget.

Sri Mulyani conveyed that the MBG program also provides opportunities for MSMEs throughout Indonesia, because every school that serves nutritious food for students needs food providers, processing staff, and distribution.

"If this free nutritious food program will be increased from Rp71 trillion to Rp100 trillion plus Rp100 trillion, not up to Rp100 trillion, then to Rp171 trillion," said Sri Mulyani on the BRI Microfinance Outlook 2025 agenda, Thursday, January 30.

According to Sri Mulyani, the plan for additional budget for the MBG program will increase the number of production centers so that they are expected to have a positive impact on small and medium enterprises throughout Indonesia.

Sri Mulyani explained that in supporting the MBG program, financial institutions such as the Financial Services Authority (OJK) and Bank Indonesia (BI) were also involved and succeeded in the program.

Therefore, Sri Mulyani said that banks and other financial institutions are also expected to participate in free nutritious eating programs so that they can provide credit access for working capital and meet business needs.

The state financial treasurer conveyed that this program includes around 90 million beneficiaries, including children, pregnant women, and PAUD, which require daily preparation and implementation.

I imagine the effect of multiplying or multipliers will have an extraordinary effect. We will certainly continue to support it from the Nutrition Agency and other ministries of institutions, ensuring that this program runs well," he said.