Jakarta. Prabowo Subianto's free nutritious meal initiative aims to benefit 15 million students across Indonesia starting January 2025, with the National Nutrition Agency overseeing the program's implementation. The outgoing administration of President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has allocated a budget of Rp 71 trillion ($4.59 billion) for the first phase of the program.

"At least 15 million beneficiaries. We have the data for the recipients of the free nutritious meals," said Dadan Hindayana, Head of the National Nutrition Agency, during a press conference at the parliamentary complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Tuesday.

Dadan noted that his agency is still working on the technical aspects of the program’s implementation. The focus is currently on completing the Organizational Structure and Work Procedure (SOTK), the work plan, the work and budget plan (RKA), and the strategic plan.

"Once these are completed and included in the 2025 State Budget Law, we will provide further details. For now, we are finalizing the SOTK, waiting for analysis from the State Apparatus and Bureaucratic Reform Ministry, which we hope will be done this week," he added.

Meanwhile, Kamrussamad, a Gerindra Party lawmaker, mentioned that the government plans to involve the Financial and Development Supervisory Agency (BPKP) in overseeing the program. He also emphasized the importance of public involvement in ensuring the program's success.

"In addition to public oversight, we will request BPKP to step in early, along with the National Nutrition Agency, to monitor the supply chain, procurement of raw materials, and overall implementation. The Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) will conduct its audit after the program’s completion," Kamrussamad explained.

He also revealed that, during the program’s first year, 100 pilot kitchens will be established in 313 military district commands. The government plans to source ingredients from local farmers.

Farmers will be organized into cooperatives acting as aggregators in areas where the program is implemented. These farmers will receive financing through the People's Business Credit (KUR) scheme.

The program is expected to boost the economy, from human resource development to the real sector, through the involvement of small and medium enterpirses.

"Who are the suppliers? Ideally, local farmers, organized by cooperatives, will handle the supply, particularly fresh produce. For example, if the kitchen is in Cianjur, we hope the vegetables will come from Cianjur farmers," Kamrussamad added.

The proposed budget for the program is approximately Rp 15,000 ($1) per child per day, excluding milk provision. The initiative aims to cover around 82.9 million students gradually until 2029, with an estimated total budget of Rp 400 trillion.