BGN accelerates MBG kitchen activation in remote regions

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) is accelerating the activation of new Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPGs) across underdeveloped, frontier, and outermost (3T) regions to expand the reach of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program.

Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan said this acceleration aligns with presidential directives, with SPPGs, or MBG kitchens, being activated in phases across Indonesia.

"In the first phase, we have already completed 480 SPPGs in Eastern Indonesia, including the six provinces of Papua, as well as East Nusa Tenggara and Maluku," Zulkifli said during a press conference following a coordination meeting on the program in Jakarta on Monday.

He added that the second phase saw 980 new SPPGs activated starting October 14, covering Sumatra, Kalimantan, and Bali.

Zulkifli also emphasized that applicants must submit SPPG establishment applications directly to the BGN, without going through any intermediaries.

He said the government has revised the incentive scheme for each SPPG. Moving away from a fixed rate of Rp6 million per day regardless of output, the incentive is now set at Rp2,000 (around US$0.11) per meal distributed.

According to the minister, the previous fixed incentive posed a risk of overextending the budget, particularly for MBG kitchens serving a smaller number of beneficiaries.

He explained that out of the total MBG budget allocation of Rp15,000 (US$0.83) per serving, Rp2,000 is earmarked for investor incentives, Rp3,000 (US$0.17) for operational costs, and Rp10,000 (US$0.55) for raw food ingredients.

Under the previous scheme, an SPPG serving 1,000 portions carried an effective incentive burden of Rp6,000 (US$0.33) per portion. This scheme was viewed as potentially squeezing allocations for other needs.

In addition to adjusting the incentive scheme, the BGN confirmed that 26,385 SPPG units have met operational requirements, including holding hygiene and sanitation certificates.

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Translator: Shofi Ayudiana, Raka Adji
Editor: Bayu Prasetyo
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