Jakarta. President Prabowo Subianto on Friday claimed that his administration’s flagship free nutritious meal program has achieved progress surpassing similar initiatives in other countries, reaching tens of millions in just months.

In his first State of the Nation address before the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) aired live by BTV, Prabowo said the program has served 20 million beneficiaries since its launch in January -- including schoolchildren, preschoolers, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers.

“This morning, I received a report that 20 million people now receive free nutritious meals every day,” Prabowo said. “In seven months, we have achieved what took other countries years. Brazil, for example, needed 11 years to reach 40 million daily recipients.”

A Massive Undertaking
Prabowo stressed that the program demands substantial funding and an unwavering commitment to deliver healthy meals nationwide. Once fully implemented, it will target 82.9 million Indonesian children.

“There are countless management challenges to ensure smooth implementation -- from building kitchens and managing supply chains to training managers and field staff,” he said.

The president noted that the initiative is supported by all units of the military and police, but the government also relies on religious organizations such as Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah, cooperatives, private companies, and charitable foundations.

Currently, 5,800 community kitchens have been built across 38 provinces to prepare the meals.

Prabowo said the program has already created 290,000 new jobs in kitchens and engaged around 1 million farmers, fishers, livestock breeders, and small businesses. “The free meal program is helping drive economic growth in rural areas,” he added.

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