Baznas NTB Prepares Aid Recipients as Food Suppliers for Free Nutrition Programme

Mataram — The National Zakat Board (Baznas) of West Nusa Tenggara Province is preparing aid recipients as food suppliers to support the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme through productive zakat empowerment.

Baznas NTB Chairman Lalu Muhammad Iqbal Murad stated that the organisation had received direct guidance from the West Nusa Tenggara Governor to develop household-based layer chicken farming operations.

“Aid recipients based in households will be provided with layer chickens. We will prepare a business ecosystem so that they not only supply eggs but also ensure sustainable egg distribution,” he said in Mataram on Tuesday.

Currently, egg farming operations in West Nusa Tenggara only meet 30 per cent of regional demand, with the remaining 70 per cent sourced from outside the region, particularly from Java.

Baznas NTB is strengthening its mustahik empowerment programme in the food sector, livestock, vegetables, and egg production to supply the nutritional needs of the Nutrition Fulfilment Service Unit (SPPG) under the MBG programme.

Iqbal stated that the MBG programme requires large-scale food supplies, including eggs, meat, and vegetables, which have traditionally been sourced from outside West Nusa Tenggara.

Baznas NTB sees an opportunity to strengthen domestic production through empowering aid recipients to sustainably supply raw food materials needed by the SPPG.

“At the same time, we are transforming aid recipients into zakat contributors, as their capacity to supply what SPPG requires is substantial,” Iqbal explained.

He further noted that channelling zakat funds to aid recipients to support the MBG programme does not violate regulations, as mustahik fall within the eight categories eligible to receive zakat.

Baznas NTB has implemented several productive zakat programmes in collaboration with the National Baznas, including food sector development. The programme involves 50 aid recipients managing 50 hectares of agricultural land in East Lombok.

Additionally, Baznas NTB operates a livestock enterprise development programme involving 30 aid recipients, each receiving two cattle for breeding and fattening on a group basis.

Iqbal stated that cattle developed by aid recipients can supply meat requirements for the SPPG.

“Large-scale needs for raw materials must be supported by large-scale provision, including through empowering aid recipients’ enterprises,” he concluded.