Purbaya: MBG's challenge is in food distribution to logistics for 3T region

Minister of Finance Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa. (Photo: ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Minister of Finance Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa stated that the government is aware that there are still a number of challenges in the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program, especially in the initial stages of implementation.

However, he emphasized that the government continues to make improvements and does not turn a blind eye to various obstacles that occur in the field.

"Responding to the views of the Democratic Faction regarding the readiness of the implementation of the MBG in the initial phase, the government does not turn a blind eye to the reality on the ground," he said in the DPR RI plenary session, Tuesday, July 14.

He explained that the biggest challenges in implementing the program include supply chain readiness, food distribution, and logistics capacity, especially in the leading, outermost, and lagging regions (3T).

"The initial challenge in executing this program is based on the readiness of the supply chain, food distribution channels and logistics capacity, especially in the 3T area," he said.

To answer this challenge, Purbaya said the government strengthened the role of the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) in building a regional-based food supply chain.

According to him, this effort is carried out by involving people's production centers, village-owned enterprises (BUMDes), micro, small, and medium enterprises (UMKM), and local providers so that food needs can be met directly from farmers, livestock farmers, and fishermen around the SPPG location.

"As a concrete step by the government in terms of supply chain readiness and logistics capacity in the region in this MBG program, the government has encouraged SPPG to empower people's production centers, BUMDes, MSMEs, and local suppliers to absorb food directly from farmers, livestock farmers and fishermen around the location of SPPG," he said.

In addition to strengthening the supply chain, the government has also increased supervision of the use of MBG funds.

Purbaya said the Ministry of Finance would monitor the implementation of the program based on an agreement with the Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Nanik Sudaryati Deyang.

According to him, the Ministry of Finance will form a supervisory team from the Directorate General of Treasury (DJPb) and the Directorate General of State Assets (DJKN), and the team will monitor the implementation of MBG in all districts and cities.

He added that the involvement of the Ministry of Finance is expected to strengthen the independence of supervision while minimizing potential conflicts of interest in the BGN environment and the team has started working since the beginning of July 2026 and will conduct periodic evaluations every two months.

On the other hand, Purbaya revealed that BGN also continues to carry out efficiency in the implementation of President Prabowo Subianto's flagship program.

According to him, the efficiency measures are expected to make the MBG budget needs below the previous projection which reached Rp268 trillion.