Zulhas: Only 10 Percent of Pesantren Receive Free Nutritious Meals

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan stated that only around 10 percent of pesantren are currently receiving the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme. He conveyed this data during his visit to several pesantren in Tambak Beras, Jombang, East Java, on Thursday (9/4/2026). “Based on data from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, only 10 percent of pesantren are receiving MBG,” said Zulhas in an official statement on Friday (10/4/2026). Santri and students in religious-based schools are included in the beneficiary groups of this programme. “The MBG programme in the pesantren environment is currently still being accelerated and its reach will continue to be expanded,” Zulhas stated. The visit included Pondok Pesantren Terpadu Chasbullah, Pondok Pesantren Al-Lathifiyyah 2, and Pondok Pesantren As-Sa’idiyyah 2 Bahrul Ulum. In meetings with pesantren caretakers, Zulhas stressed the importance of community-based food security. He assessed that pesantren play a role in strengthening food security at the local level. “Pesantren need more attention, considering that santri also require sustainable access to nutritious food,” he said. “We are still and will continue to accelerate the implementation of MBG in pesantren,” he added. The government recorded that as of 30 March 2026, the MBG programme has reached 61,680,043 beneficiaries in 38 provinces.