BGN Engages Schools and Local Authorities to Strengthen MBG Beneficiary Data Validation

Validating beneficiary data is a priority to ensure the MBG programme is accurately targeted.

The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) is reinforcing beneficiary data validation for the Free Nutrition Programme (MBG) by involving schools and local authorities to ensure all target groups receive services accurately and equitably.

“Validating beneficiary data is a priority to ensure the MBG programme is accurately targeted. In addition to integrating data from various sources, we are conducting direct verification at the grassroots level to ensure the data used is accurate,” said BGN Deputy Head Sony Sonjaya in Jakarta on Monday.

Sony explained that verification is conducted through coordination between the District-level Indonesian Development Promoter (SPPI) coordinators and lurah and kepala desa.

This mechanism involves data collection and verification for pregnant women, nursing mothers, toddlers, students from early childhood education (PAUD) to senior high school (SMA/SMK), including santri in Islamic boarding schools (pondok pesantren).

“If pregnant women, nursing mothers, toddlers, students, or santri are not registered or have not received MBG services, this information can be reported to BGN via the District SPPI Coordinator or WhatsApp hotline 0851-1139-4466,” Sony said.

He explained that the current beneficiary data is based on initial surveys conducted from May to July 2024, which involved Babinsa and was conducted through a tiered process up to the Kodam level before being handed over to the MBG implementation preparation team.

However, through strengthened inter-ministerial coordination and active participation from local governments and communities, BGN is confident that data validation will yield a more accurate beneficiary database down to the village and urban village level.

Valid data is crucial to ensure the MBG programme accurately, equitably, and sustainably reaches all target groups.