The Indonesian government has allocated Rp335 trillion from the state budget for its Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program in 2026, targeting about 82 million beneficiaries and aiming to boost nutrition and grassroots economic growth.
Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said the program is fully funded by the state budget (APBN), ensuring secure, sustainable and measurable implementation nationwide.
"The guarantee comes from the APBN. For 2026, the government has prepared Rp335 trillion for the Free Nutritious Meals program, so it is secure," Airlangga said at the Road to Jakarta Food Security Summit in Jakarta on Tuesday.
Airlangga said the program would stimulate the economy as Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG), or MBG kitchens, are paid upfront, strengthening cash flow for operators and encouraging local investment, small businesses and regional economic activity.
He said the SPPG business model provides payment before production, ensuring cash flow certainty and accelerating capital turnover, prompting some operators to plan expansion into multiple units.
From the total allocation, nearly Rp80 trillion is expected to be distributed to grassroots communities every quarter, exceeding the government’s first-quarter stimulus of nearly Rp37 trillion in the previous year, he said.
Airlangga added that quarterly disbursements would support economic growth through higher consumption, production and job creation, with the program projected to absorb up to three million workers.
He estimated the program could potentially lift economic growth by up to 7 percent. Even if only half of that potential is realized, it could still add around 3 percent to Indonesia’s economy in 2026.
Editor : Vicki Febrianto
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