JakartaGlobe-Sept 10
Prabowo Subianto’s free nutritious meal initiative aims to benefit 15 million students across Indonesia starting January 2025, with the National Nutrition Agency overseeing the program’s implementation. The outgoing administration of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has allocated a budget of Rp 71 trillion ($4.59 billion) for the first phase of the program. “At least 15 million beneficiaries. We have the data for the recipients of the free nutritious meals,” said Dadan Hindayana, Head of the National Nutrition Agency, during a press conference at the parliamentary complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Tuesday. Dadan noted that his agency is still working on the technical aspects of the program’s implementation. The focus is currently on completing the Organizational Structure and Work Procedure (SOTK), the work plan, the work and budget plan (RKA), and the strategic plan. Meanwhile, Kamrussamad, a Gerindra Party lawmaker, mentioned that the government plans to involve the Financial and Development Supervisory Agency (BPKP) in overseeing the program. He also emphasized the importance of public involvement in ensuring the program’s success. He also revealed that, during the program’s first year, 100 pilot kitchens will be established in 313 military district commands. The government plans to source ingredients from local farmers. Farmers will be organized into cooperatives acting as aggregators in areas where the program is implemented. These farmers will receive financing through the People’s Business Credit (KUR) scheme. The program is expected to boost the economy, from human resource development to the real sector, through the involvement of small and medium enterprises. Read more at: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/prabowos-free-meal-program-targets-15-million-students-in-2025
