Deputy Head of National Nutrition Agency Reveals Focus of Free Nutritious Meal Programme Evaluation

Deputy Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Agustina Arumsari, has revealed that the current evaluation of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme is focused on two main aspects. One of these is the validation of beneficiary data. “So, the first thing we are improving is: is the 63 million figure really accurate? That is the first point. If so, how many are genuine, and how many should we actually provide for? Which regions, which children, should we prioritise? That is our task now,” Agustina told reporters at the State Palace in Jakarta on Monday (20/7/2026).

In addition to data validation, the BGN is also evaluating the incentive scheme for Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG). To date, the incentive amounts have been considered uniform, despite the differing service capacities of each SPPG. Agustina explained that some SPPGs serve only around 1,000 beneficiaries within a relatively close radius, while other SPPGs must cover wider areas with a larger number of recipients. This situation needs to be accommodated through a more proportional incentive scheme.

“So, we will later create a fairer incentive scheme. For example, it is not right if an SPPG that covers 200 metres and serves only 500, or say 1,000 people, receives the same incentive,” she said. “It is also not right if one covering 300 or 400 metres, or even 500 metres, which performs better, is given a flat rate of 6 million? That is not fair. So, these are the schemes we will improve,” she continued.

Agustina assessed that the current accountability system, which still relies heavily on the head of the SPPG, needs to be strengthened through digital transformation. Digitalisation will be one of the steps to increase transparency while facilitating oversight of the MBG budget. “It is difficult if we ensure it depends on the person. Earlier we received input, we listened to direction from elsewhere, there is an issue of digital transformation, digitalisation. That is something good, so we thought, ‘Oh, that will later become part of the improvements.’ So, those are the only points, the direction for today,” she stated.