The new administration in Indonesia has launched an ambitious initiative aimed at combating malnutrition, targeting nearly 90 million children and pregnant women. This project, titled the Free Nutritious Meals Program, is set to cost an estimated $28 billion by 2029. However, its affordability has come under scrutiny from critics.
This initiative aligns with a campaign promise made by President Prabowo Subianto, who took office last year, leading a nation of over 282 million people and the largest economy in Southeast Asia. President Subianto emphasized that the program aims to address stunting issues, which currently affect 21.5% of Indonesian children under five, while also enhancing farmers’ incomes and improving the value of their produce.
Subianto strives to boost economic growth from the current rate of 5% to 8%. In his inaugural speech in October, he highlighted the urgent need to support children struggling with malnutrition, pledging to provide free school lunches and milk to 83 million students across more than 400,000 schools nationwide. This step is part of a long-term strategy to cultivate the nation’s human resources and aspire for a “Golden Indonesia” by the year 2045.
He acknowledged the harsh realities faced by many, stating, “Too many of our brothers and sisters live below the poverty line, and far too many of our children go to school without breakfast or proper clothing.”
The flagship program could see expenses exceed 450 trillion rupiah (approximately $28 billion) by the end of Subianto’s term in 2029. The administration claims to have conducted thorough calculations to support the feasibility of this initiative, asserting, “We are capable.”
The goal set for 2025 is to reach 19.47 million students and pregnant women, with a budget of 71 trillion rupiah (around $4.3 billion) while maintaining the annual budget deficit within a legislative limit of 3% of GDP, as outlined by Dadan Hindayana, head of the newly formed National Nutrition Agency.
Hindayana further mentioned that the budget would cover the purchase of around 6.7 million tons of rice, 1.2 million tons of chicken, 500,000 tons of beef, 1 million tons of fish, vegetables, fruits, and 4 million kiloliters of milk, alongside plans to establish at least 5,000 kitchens throughout the country. Approximately 2,000 cooperatives are expected to participate, supplying various food items.
On the first day of the initiative, meals were distributed to students at a Jakarta-area primary school, providing them with nutritious dishes such as rice, sautéed vegetables, tempeh, chicken, and oranges.
Hindayana explained that a dedicated team would be assigned to each school for daily meal distribution, ensuring that every student from preschool to senior high school receives a meal that meets one-third of their daily caloric needs at no cost.
Despite its potential benefits, the program has attracted criticism from investors and analysts concerned about various factors including logistical challenges and financial strain on the state. Economic researcher Nailul Huda warned that Indonesia’s tight fiscal situation may not support such a heavy financial burden, which could lead to increased public debt.
He cautioned that the ambitious expansion of the program could jeopardize the government’s target for achieving 8% economic growth and worsen the country’s external payment balance, particularly as Indonesia is a major importer of key food items like rice and wheat.
However, Reni Suwarso, director of the Institute for Democracy, Security, and Strategic Studies, stated that Indonesia still has a long way to go in reducing the stunting rate, which remains above the goal of 14% for 2024. According to the 2023 Indonesian Health Survey, the national prevalence of stunting is recorded at 21.5%. UNICEF has estimated that one in twelve Indonesian children under five is malnourished, and one in five suffers from stunting.
Suwarso highlighted the critical nature of addressing malnutrition, emphasizing its severe consequences for children’s long-term health and development.
This new program is a significant step toward improving public health and educational outcomes for Indonesia’s youth, but the government will need to navigate the financial and logistical complexities to succeed.
