Cak Imin Says Free Nutritious Meals and Food Sovereignty Reduce Extreme Poverty

Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment Muhaimin Iskandar, alias Cak Imin, stated that the number of people in extreme poverty has decreased from 3.5 million to 2.2 million. He attributed this to President Prabowo Subianto’s free nutritious meals programme and food sovereignty initiatives, which have influenced the reduction in extreme poverty.

“The most impactful are undoubtedly the free nutritious meals programme, followed by food sovereignty. For instance, today’s fertiliser availability has a significant effect on farmers’ productivity levels, with the Farmers’ Exchange Rate (NTP) rising positively. Fishermen have benefited too. These are concrete programmes that can be directly felt due to the appropriate prioritisation,” said Cak Imin at the BP Jamsostek building in South Jakarta on Monday (27/4/2026).

He noted that Prabowo has implemented budget efficiencies. According to him, this has ensured that funds are allocated to priority areas.

“Yes, one thing we are grateful for under President Prabowo’s leadership is the change in budget politics. It has directed more funding straight to what society can feel,” he stated.

Cak Imin mentioned that budget efficiencies can curb leakages. Thus, he said, funds can be absorbed into priority programmes, including those reducing extreme poverty numbers.

“Our budget politics, through efficiencies, will align with prioritisation patterns and meet society’s real needs. This eliminates waste that does not match the priorities set by the President, namely the Government Work Plan (RKP),” he remarked.

Previously, Cak Imin had outlined achievements in tackling extreme poverty. He said the extreme poverty rate in Indonesia fell during 2024-2025.

This was conveyed by Cak Imin while leading a ministerial-level evaluation meeting on extreme poverty alleviation held at the BP Jamsostek building in Kuningan, South Jakarta, on Monday (27/4). In that period, Cak Imin stated that extreme poverty dropped from 3.56 million to 2.2 million.

“Alhamdulillah, extreme poverty has successfully decreased from 1.26 percent in March 2024 to 0.78 percent in September 2025. Around 0.48 percent of the extreme poor population has moved up a class. Let’s give a round of applause. Thus, our extreme poor population is now 2.2 million from the previous 3.56 million,” said Cak Imin.

Cak Imin said this achievement is worth celebrating. Nevertheless, he noted that the state still has homework to eradicate the remaining 2.2 million people classified as extremely poor.