Indonesia's Free Nutritious Meal Program Expands in Papua

The government’s Makan Bergizi Gratis (MBG) programme, aimed at improving nutrition and human development in Indonesia’s Papua region, has continued its rollout in 2026. In Nabire Regency, Central Papua, the programme reached 32,002 beneficiaries in the first half of the year – 28,113 students and 3,889 pregnant women, nursing mothers and toddlers – through 14 Satuan Pelayanan Pemenuhan Gizi (SPPG) units.

Evaluations by the National Nutrition Agency and local authorities are being used to refine distribution, update beneficiary data and ensure food quality. The initiative also created local jobs, employing 658 workers, including 180 Indigenous Papuans, and generating monthly economic activity estimated at Rp1.58‑2.63 billion. Similar efforts are reported in West Papua’s South‑West district, where dozens of SPPG centres serve tens of thousands of residents. The programme is presented as a cornerstone of Indonesia’s "Golden 2045" vision to boost human resources across the country’s most remote areas.