Indonesia: Rp 6 Million/Day Incentive for Free Nutrition Kitchens Explained

JAKARTA – Indonesia’s National Nutrition Agency (BGN) is defending a daily incentive of 6 million Rupiah (approximately $380 USD) paid to foundations operating the country’s free nutritious meal program, known as Satuan Pelayanan Pemenuhan Gizi (SPPG) or Makan Bergizi Gratis (MBG). The program, aimed at improving childhood nutrition, has drawn scrutiny over the cost of the incentives.

BGN Head Dadan Hindayana explained that the payments are more cost-effective than the government building and maintaining all the necessary facilities itself. “The costs are much more efficient if the BGN were to build all the facilities and infrastructure on its own,” Hindayana said Wednesday, February 18, 2026.

The incentive payments have recently become a topic of discussion on social media platforms.

Hindayana too emphasized the incentive serves as a form of national recognition for those contributing to the rapid implementation of the MBG program. “The basic incentive is given as a form of appreciation from the state to all parties who have contributed to accelerating the development of the SPPG,” he stated.

Speed and the availability of SPPG facilities are crucial to the success of the MBG initiative, according to the BGN. The government believes the incentives will help accelerate the program’s rollout.

“Time is one of the things in this world that moves in one direction. If it’s missed, it can’t be turned back,” Hindayana said. “Based on the consideration of gaining benefits from acceleration, the state provides appreciation so that the investment made can return quickly.”

To illustrate the concept, Hindayana drew a parallel to renting a property. He explained that rental payments are typically made regardless of whether the space is actively used. “If we are the owners of the facilities, would we want our facilities to be paid for only when they are used? For example, if we commit to using an apartment for a year, do we pay for the apartment only when it is used, or for the one-year commitment? Of course, according to the commitment, whether it is used or not is not the owner’s concern. The owner just wants the facilities to be paid for according to the commitment.”

The BGN noted that various entities, including the police, military, other government agencies, and community organizations, are collaborating to ensure the success of the MBG program. The agency highlighted the significant support it has received in establishing SPPGs, equipping them with necessary tools, and training personnel.

Recent data indicates the program is having a broader economic impact. Approximately 60 percent of SPPG employees are now able to afford motorcycles, fueled by income from their function with the MBG, according to Dadan Hindayana. He also noted that motorcycle sales increased by 4.9 million in 2025, a surge attributed to the program. The increased demand is also impacting agricultural producers and food suppliers, with one SPPG requiring 3,000 bananas per meal and 450 liters of milk per day. This increased demand is prompting investment in infrastructure, such as cold storage for dairy farmers.

The MBG program is also being recognized for its innovative economic approach, simultaneously boosting production and guaranteeing purchases, particularly for a population where 60 percent of children lack access to a balanced diet and have never consumed milk, and where the average parent has only nine years of education.