IPB University FEM Professor Emphasizes the Importance of Improving the Targeting of the MBG Program

Prof Bambang Juanda of the Faculty of Economics and Management at IPB University highlighted that the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program currently faces challenges, one of which is targeting. 

Prof Bambang acknowledged that this program plays a strategic role in improving the quality of human resources as the foundation for achieving the 8 percent economic growth target by 2045. Provided it is implemented with proper governance.

In his presentation, he stated that the success of the MBG program cannot be measured solely by the speed of its expansion or the size of its budget. According to him, the program must ensure that it truly provides nutritious, safe, and targeted food, is accountable, and capable of having an impact on the local economy.

The data he presented showed that approximately 62,9 percent of the program’s benefits were actually enjoyed by the upper-income group, while the lowest-income group received only about 10,2 percent.

In fact, in the wealthiest decile, the benefits reached 46,5 percent, while in the poorest decile they amounted to only 1,1 percent. This situation is exacerbated by geographical disparities, as the benefits of MBG implementation are concentrated more on the island of Java (58,9%), where urban areas (80,4%) outnumber rural areas (19,6%).

He also pointed out another challenge: gaps in regulations, particularly in Presidential Regulation No 115 of 2025, which could potentially trigger problems on the ground, including cases of food poisoning and weak oversight. “Acceleration without safeguards for accountability actually opens the door to risks of rent-seeking, mark-up, and low-value spending,” he said.

Prof Bambang also criticized the overly centralized governance approach. In his view, this model has not been able to accommodate local needs and capacities. As an alternative, he proposed a school and community based model, where program operations are brought closer to the beneficiaries.

“In this model, schools, school committees, parents, local governments, and local economic actors such as farmers and SMEs are actively involved in implementation and oversight. Meanwhile, the central government continues to play a role in setting standards, regulations, and audit mechanisms,” he suggested.

He also emphasized the importance of transparency in selecting nutrition service providers. Partners, he noted, must be chosen based on their track record and capacity, and must be transparent regarding the benefits and costs involved. “Partner selection must be open and subject to public oversight to ensure service quality is truly maintained,” he stressed.

Furthermore, strengthening digital reporting systems and community engagement are considered crucial for improving accountability. Schools, parents, and communities need to be involved in reporting mechanisms to ensure that program quality is maintained on the ground.

According to Prof Bambang, without improvements in governance, the MBG program risks becoming a program with a heavy fiscal burden but weak value for money, misdirected, difficult to monitor, and with inconsistent service quality. Conversely, with proper governance, this program has great potential not only to improve children’s nutritional status but also to strengthen the local economy sustainably. (Ez) (IAAS/LAN)