Indonesia's Ambitious Free Meals Program Set to Launch in 2025

Indonesia, the world's largest archipelagic state with over 17,000 islands, is set to embark on an ambitious free meals program in 2025. This initiative, spearheaded by President-elect Prabowo Subianto, aims to address malnutrition in the country of over 270 million people.

The program will initially target 20 million students, with plans to expand to 83 million recipients, including pregnant mothers. This massive undertaking is expected to cost 71 trillion rupiah ($4.54 billion) in its first stage, eventually reaching an annual expenditure of $28 billion when fully implemented.

Dadan Hindayana, head of the national nutrition agency, outlined the program's logistics at an investment forum. The agency plans to establish at least 5,000 "service units" or kitchens across the country in 2025, scaling up to 30,000 units by 2027. These units will serve dual purposes:

• Preparing and distributing meals
• Purchasing local agricultural products

This approach is expected to create over one million new jobs, contributing to Indonesia's growing economy, which is already the largest in Southeast Asia and a member of the G20.

The program's food requirements are substantial. In 2025 alone, it is estimated to need:

• 312,000 metric tonnes of rice
• 546,000 metric tonnes of chicken meat or 4.68 billion eggs
• 936 million litres of milk
• 546,000 metric tonnes of vegetables

These figures highlight the program's potential impact on Indonesia's agricultural sector, already known for being the world's largest producer of palm oil and a significant producer of nutmeg and cloves.

Hindayana emphasized that each kitchen, serving 3,000 children, would consume daily:

• 200 kg of rice
• 350 kg of chicken meat or 3,000 eggs
• 600 litres of milk
• 350 kg of vegetables

The nutrition agency plans to prioritize sourcing from local farmers and adjust menus based on availability, aligning with Indonesia's diverse culinary traditions across its 300 ethnic groups.

This initiative not only addresses nutritional needs but also supports Indonesia's agricultural sector, which is crucial for the country's economy. As the world's fourth most populous nation with one of the fastest-growing middle classes, Indonesia's education system - the fourth largest globally - stands to benefit significantly from this program.

The free meals initiative reflects Indonesia's commitment to its national motto, "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika" (Unity in Diversity), by ensuring equitable access to nutrition across its vast territory spanning three time zones. As the country with the second-longest coastline and home to unique wildlife like Komodo dragons and orangutans, Indonesia continues to balance development with its rich natural heritage.

This program represents a significant step in addressing malnutrition while potentially boosting local agriculture and job creation in Indonesia, a nation known for its high biodiversity and growing economic influence in the region.