MBG Budget is Assured to Decrease from Rp. 268 Trillion, the Amount is Still Being Calculated

JAKARTA - The budget for the Free Nutritious Meal program is certain to no longer be as large as Rp. 268 trillion. The government is still calculating the new needs after the National Nutrition Agency has corrected the data of recipients, kitchen locations, and incentive schemes.

Deputy Head of BGN Agustina Arumsari said the budget value would fall quite a lot. However, he was not willing to mention the figure because the evaluation process was still ongoing.

"What is clear is that it is no longer Rp268 trillion, it has been greatly reduced. But the figure, because the process is still ongoing, I can't say," said Agustina at the Presidential Palace Complex, Jakarta, Monday (20/7).

President Prabowo Subianto gave the government one month to complete the study on improving the MBG. The technical discussion was coordinated by the Coordinating Ministry for Food.

Efficiency will follow changes in the target recipients and the restructuring of the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit. The budget must also take into account the difference in food prices between regions.

Agustina gave an example that the cost of one serving in Java of Rp. 15,000 could not be applied immediately in Papua or Nusa Tenggara. The government is asked to calculate the cost index according to the conditions of each region.

"If in Java it is Rp15,000, if in those areas, how much is it. Because the index is definitely different," he said.

BGN will also evaluate the MBG kitchen incentive, which has been standardized. In addition, the data of the recipients will be transferred to areas with higher nutritional needs.

Agustina said the amount of new efficiency could be determined after the examination of data and the draft budget allocation was completed.