BGN Admits MBG Incentive Scheme Wasteful, Kitchens Will No Longer Receive Flat Rp 6 Million/Day

The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) plans to change the incentive scheme for Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG) in the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme. Going forward, the incentive amount will no longer be uniformly set at Rp 6 million per day for all SPPGs.

According to BGN Deputy Head Agustina Arumsari, the current incentive scheme has the potential to cause budget wastage because it does not consider the number of beneficiaries served by each SPPG. Arumsari stated that the overhaul is part of efforts to improve the governance of the MBG programme to make it more effective and better targeted.

“So that is included (in the evaluation of incentive provision). After the beneficiary data is fixed, we expect the incentive will not be fixed at Rp 6 million for everyone. Previously, even if the beneficiaries were 1,500, the incentive was Rp 6 million; if it was 500, it was also Rp 6 million,” Arumsari said at the Parliament Building in Jakarta on Monday (15/6/2026).

Arumsari explained that after the process of refocusing beneficiary data is complete, the agency will immediately adjust the incentive amounts. Incentives will be given based on the number of MBG beneficiaries served by each SPPG.

“It will not be uniform. We hope that the programme can be achieved but the budget is truly on target. So it will not be like the current model, which tends to be more wasteful, wasteful of state finances,” Arumsari clarified.

Furthermore, SPPGs can no longer just cook without regard to standards. BGN will assess the quality and food safety standards. The agency is also open to merging SPPGs in areas where the number of beneficiaries is considered too small.

“Then we will evaluate the incentive model, not just based on the output produced. How are you able to produce quality food, with the food standards and safety fulfilled? So we will create several composite indicators for assessment, so it is not just about ‘I want to cook this soup’,” Agustina explained.

The steps to improve SPPG governance will utilise the momentum of the school holidays. Arumsari confirmed that during the school holidays, the agency will temporarily halt MBG distribution.

“We are also taking advantage of the school holiday momentum. We will stop everything, we will audit all kitchens, so that hopefully when the children return to school, conditions in the field will be better,” Agustina stated.