President Prabowo Affirms Free Nutritious Meal Program Will Progressively Reach 82 Million Beneficiaries

President Prabowo delivers remarks at the closing ceremony of the 6th National Congress of the Prosperous Justice Party (Partai Keadilan Sejahtera/PKS) of 2025 at the Golden Ballroom, The Sultan Hotel, Jakarta on Monday (09/29). (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat)

President Prabowo Subianto underscored the significant progress of the Free Nutritious Meal program that in just 11 months has reached nearly 30 million beneficiaries. The President stressed that the program not only benefits children and expectant mothers but also boosts grassroots economic growth down to the village level.

“In 11 months we have proven that with good intentions, clear goals, sincerity, and love for the nation and its people, we can achieve much. We have saved at least Rp300 trillion, and that is what we are using for the free nutritious meal program,” said the President.

The Head of State acknowledged challenges on the ground, including cases of shortages and food poisoning, but noted these were very minimal compared to the scale of the program. President Prabowo said that the deviation is 0.00017 from the total distribution. “This doesn’t mean we are satisfied, but for a program of this scale, unprecedented in world history, it is already a remarkable achievement,” he emphasized.

President Prabowo compared Indonesia’s progress to Brazil’s, which took 11 years to reach 40 million beneficiaries. In less than a year, Indonesia has reached 30 million. “Are there shortcomings? Yes. But the benefits are enormous. Many elites don’t realize that some of our people still eat rice with just salt. Now we can give them something they truly need,” he said.

Beside direct benefits for the beneficiaries, the program also drives local economic growth. Food supplies come from villages and districts, giving farmers and livestock producers a guaranteed market.

“This program is strategic, beyond our expectations. By next year, in January-February, it could generate 1.5 million new jobs. We have succeeded in reviving people’s economy, every day we need eggs, vegetables, fish, chicken, and other products from the districts themselves,” the President explained.

He added that nearly Rp335 trillion (around US$ 20 billion) will be allocated next year to support the program, with funds flowing directly to rural communities.

“For decades, money has flowed from the regions to Jakarta and often abroad. Now we are reversing that, with funds going back to the villages,” he said.

The President reaffirmed the program’s ultimate target of reaching 82 million beneficiaries across Indonesia. “As a leader, as a father, I am proud of the 30 million, but I still remember 52 million of our children and expectant mothers who are waiting and hoping,” the President concluded. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (AS/MMB)