FILE PHOTO: Septi, 8 months old is measured against a height chart for stunting-prevention measures with her mother Ana (left) and a Labuan Bajo volunteer health worker (right). - Photo: The Jakarta Post file
JAKARTA: (Bernama-Antara) Indonesia's Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) Programme will expand in 2025 to target pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, as well as toddlers, according to Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati.
During a House of Representatives plenary meeting on Tuesday (Aug 27), she explained that the programme aims to improve nutritional outcomes, enhance cognitive development, and prevent stunting.
The government has allocated Rp197.8 trillion (US$12 billion) to the health sector, prioritising stunting prevention.
Over the past decade, Indonesia has successfully reduced stunting prevalence from 37.2 per cent to 21.5 per cent. However, Indrawati emphasised the need to accelerate this progress.
"Our regional stunting intervention focuses on 12 priority provinces, concentrating on prevention efforts during the critical first 1,000 days of life," she stated.
The 2025 Financial Note outlines the MBG Programme's goal of cultivating a high-quality and competitive workforce.
The programme will provide nutritious food and free milk at schools, as well as nutritional assistance to toddlers, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers at risk of stunting.
This is expected to improve student attendance and learning outcomes, reported Antara.
The MBG Programme will be implemented through public kitchens, involving local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
With a budget of approximately Rp71 trillion (US$4.4 billion), or 0.29 per cent of Indonesia's GDP, the programme covers food costs, distribution, and operational expenses.
It is also expected to generate a multiplier economic effect.
Beyond improving human capital, the MBG Programme is expected to drive economic growth by around 0.10 per cent and create approximately 0.82 million jobs through the empowerment of MSMEs. - Bernama-Antara
