National Nutrition Agency to pursue further budget efficiency : Govt

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) is preparing another round of budget savings for its programs, Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said on Friday.

Sadewa said BGN Head Nanik S. Deyang informed him of the planned cost-cutting measures during a meeting at the Finance Ministry on Thursday. While declining to disclose the amount of savings, he described them as significant.

"Yesterday I met with the head of BGN. She came to report that there will be further savings from BGN's programs. I believe the amount will be quite significant, but I'll let the BGN chief announce the details," Sadewa told reporters at the ministry in Jakarta.

He said the planned budget cuts would not affect the nutritional quality or meal portions provided under the government's Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program.

"No, there will be no changes. The meals will remain nutritious," he said. "I'm not a nutrition expert, but what I understand is they will strengthen their human resources. If I'm not mistaken, they plan to hire more nutritionists."

During the meeting, Sadewa said he was briefed on several challenges facing the agency in implementing the MBG program, particularly in monitoring operations in regional areas.

To address those issues, the Finance Ministry is prepared to deploy its regional personnel to help oversee the operations of Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG) or kitchens for the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) Program, he said.

"I told them that if that's the case, let the Finance Ministry handle the monitoring in the regions. My staff across the country will regularly monitor the SPPG units. We have the tools and we can oversee the budget implementation. They agreed," he said.

Although Sadewa did not specify the size of the planned budget savings, he expressed support for continued efficiency measures to ensure the sustainability of the MBG program.

"I support the efficiency measures, even if the cuts are larger, as long as the program continues," he said.

Earlier, the government reduced the 2026 state budget allocation for the Free Nutritious Meals program to Rp268 trillion (US$15.03 billion) from an initial Rp335 trillion and plans to introduce additional savings measures.

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Translator: Bayu, Azis Kurmala

Editor: Arie Novarina

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