BGN Chief Denies Free Nutritious Meal Programme Drains State Budget
The Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Sudaryono, has refuted claims that the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme is depleting the state budget at the expense of other development projects. He stated that various government priority programmes are still running, from school repairs and fertiliser subsidies to irrigation revitalisation.
Sudaryono said the narrative that the state budget has been exhausted by MBG does not match the facts on the ground. He cited examples where the government continues to renovate tens of thousands of schools and allocate funds to other sectors. “There is a perception that the state budget is depleted because of MBG. In reality, with MBG, where fertiliser was previously insufficient, it is now sufficient. In fact, the price has been discounted by 20%. You can check my social media and other media outlets from before I became Head of BGN,” Sudaryono said during a press conference at the BGN Office in Jakarta on Wednesday (29/7/2026).
He also highlighted the increased budget for irrigation revitalisation, which continues despite the government running the MBG programme. “Previously, there was no such thing as irrigation revitalisation; now there is. I know this from my time at the Ministry of Agriculture. Irrigation is being revitalised; last year it was Rp12 trillion, this year Rp14 trillion, and it will continue next year. So the irrigation is being sorted out,” he said.
Sudaryono further revealed that the government is continuing a massive school renovation programme. In 2025, more than 16,000 schools were repaired, and this year the target has increased to over 70,000 schools, potentially reaching nearly 90,000. “I know this, as I am from Grobogan. I have been contacted by many people. The government renovated more than 16,000 schools in 2025. This year, the number to be renovated is more than 70,000, and the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education has even mentioned it could be nearly 90,000 schools, directly from the central government,” he said.
His statement also addressed criticism regarding a damaged school in Grobogan located near an MBG kitchen. Sudaryono argued that comparing the condition of the school with the MBG kitchen building is inappropriate because they come from different financing schemes. “The school was damaged long before MBG existed, wasn’t it? Let’s be objective. The school was damaged before the MBG programme. Now, the President is fixing it. So it’s quite simple: if you find a damaged school, just report it. There is a portal at the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, and it will definitely be repaired. It’s not fair to compare. We’ve already repaired 16,000, and now we’re repairing 70,000,” he said.
Sudaryono assessed that the narrative comparing damaged schools with MBG kitchens creates a misleading impression among the public. “When one is damaged, especially if the MBG kitchen next door is shiny, clean, and blue, and then they are compared, I think that is unfair. But that’s fine, it’s part of the dynamics of our democracy, no problem,” Sudaryono said.
According to him, BGN’s task is to ensure that MBG kitchens meet standards of cleanliness, food safety, and nutritional quality to positively impact children’s health. “BGN is clearly focused on our duty as a nutrition agency, ensuring the kitchens are clean, hygienic, and safe, the food is good, nutritious, and hopefully tasty, with the right nutritional content, and liked by children. The children finish their meals, and then the impact and outcome is that the children become healthy, free from stunting, and have good growth. Regarding the damaged school in Grobogan, I think you can check, it has been followed up,” he said.
Sudaryono also urged the public to report any damaged educational facilities they find without linking them to the construction of MBG kitchens. “I want to invite all of us not to stir up the issue. If you find a damaged school, just take a photo of the damaged school and report it, and do not compare it with the MBG kitchen. Because they are not connected, I apologise. The MBG kitchen is built by partners, and there is already a scheme for it. Meanwhile, school repairs are two different things. Do not make it seem like there is a contradiction. I apologise, but that is not fair. But it is okay,” he concluded.