Free Nutritious Meal Programme in NTT Projected to Circulate IDR 440 Billion
The Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme in Kupang City, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), is projected to circulate up to IDR 440 billion. NTT Governor Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena stressed that this substantial funding must have a dual impact, namely reducing stunting while simultaneously driving an economy based on local products.
“Among the various national programmes, MBG is a programme that touches many parties at once. Every day there is economic turnover, it opens up employment opportunities, involves many workers, and provides direct benefits to children,” said Melki, as Melkiades is known, during the opening of the MBG Programme Task Force Coordination Meeting for Kupang City at the Kupang Mayor’s Official Residence Hall on Friday (26/6/2026).
With approximately 107,000 beneficiaries in Kupang City and a potential turnover of IDR 440 billion, he raised two points for critical evaluation. Firstly, whether this economic turnover genuinely reaches communities suffering from malnutrition so that the reduction in stunting rates can be significant. Secondly, to what extent this economic value contributes to inclusive growth for farmers, livestock breeders, and communities within the Nutrition Fulfilment Service Unit (SPPG) supply chain.
“These questions need to be mapped out so that the benefits of the MBG Programme are truly maximised, both in improving the nutritional status of the community and in providing a broad economic impact,” asserted the Golkar Party politician. Melki requested that the governance of the MBG be strengthened so that all SPPG kitchens operate optimally. The target recipients must be accurately mapped, especially groups at risk of stunting. He also urged the optimisation of local NTT products within the supply chain.
“Kupang City must become a good example as well as a promoter for other districts in the implementation of the MBG programme Coordination Meeting,” he said. He expressed hope that the MBG would become a shared identity through the MBG NTT Incorporated concept, involving all stakeholders in NTT Province.
Meanwhile, Kupang Mayor Christian Widodo expressed appreciation to President Prabowo for the MBG, which he described as a long-term investment. “We are not just talking about food, but we are investing in the future of Indonesia’s children,” he said. “Currently, Kupang City has 42 SPPG kitchens with an economic turnover of around IDR 9 billion per week,” Christian stated.
The Kupang City Government, he added, has also formed an MBG Task Force that will monitor kitchen operations monthly, including sanitation, food safety, and waste management. “The coordination meeting aims to bring together food suppliers, SPPG managers, and all related parties so that the implementation of the MBG programme runs better,” he explained. Christian hopes that beneficiaries will be more evenly distributed across Posyandu and early childhood education centres to accelerate stunting reduction. “I am confident that in every portion of Free Nutritious Meals, not only is food served, but also the dreams and future of the nation’s children,” he concluded.