Free Nutritious Meal Budget Slashed to Rp 229 Trillion, BGN Reveals Reasons

The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has revealed that the indicative budget ceiling for the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme in 2026 has been temporarily reduced to Rp 229 trillion from the previous allocation of Rp 268 trillion. The adjustment is part of the government’s efforts to improve the programme’s governance to make it more effective and efficient.

Wakil Kepala BGN Agustina Arumsari stated that the figure is still provisional and could change if the agency identifies further opportunities for efficiency in the programme’s implementation. “But please note it as provisional. It could change if we can be more efficient,” she said during a press conference at the BGN office in Jakarta on Tuesday (21/7/2026).

Agustina emphasised, however, that budget efficiency is not the agency’s primary goal. She said the current focus is on improving the governance of the MBG programme to ensure that the distribution of aid is better targeted. One of the improvements underway involves harmonising service coverage in schools. An evaluation found that some schools were being served by more than one Nutrition Fulfilment Service Unit (SPPG), necessitating adjustments to prevent overlaps in both services and budget allocation.

With these improvements, the programme’s budget requirements will be adjusted according to the results of the field harmonisation. Sekretaris Utama BGN Lili Khamiliyah added that the reduction in the indicative budget ceiling from Rp 268 trillion to Rp 229 trillion is still temporary. The agency is currently refocusing on the number of MBG beneficiaries, so the final budget figure has not yet been determined. “This is what we are currently doing to adjust what will eventually affect the state budget, so that we can implement MBG effectively, efficiently, transparently, and accurately,” Lili said.