Indonesia's Free Lunch Plan: A Boost for Health, Education, and Economy
Monday, Jan 6, 2025 4:11 am ET
Indonesia, the world's fourth most populous nation, has launched an ambitious free lunch program aimed at improving child nutrition, enhancing education outcomes, and supporting the agricultural sector. The program, initiated by President Prabowo Subianto, aims to feed nearly 90 million children and pregnant women, costing an estimated $28 billion by 2029.
The program, which began on Monday, will provide one meal per day for each student from early childhood education to senior high school levels, covering a third of the daily caloric needs for children. The government will send a team to each school to facilitate the meal distribution to students every day. The program is expected to reach 19.5 million schoolchildren and pregnant women in 2025 with a budget of 71 trillion rupiah ($4.3 billion).
The program aims to combat malnutrition and stunting, which affect 21.5% of Indonesian children under five. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) estimates that one in 12 Indonesian children under five are wasted, while one in five are stunted. By providing nutritious meals, the program seeks to improve child health and development, as well as increase school attendance and focus.
The program also supports the development of Indonesia's agricultural sector and local food production. The government plans to purchase an estimated 6.7 million tons of rice, 1.2 million tons of chicken, 500,000 tons of beef, 1 million tons of fish, vegetables, and fruit, and 4 million kiloliters of milk for the program. This increased demand will stimulate local production and encourage farmers to increase output, ultimately supporting the growth and sustainability of the agricultural sector.
The free lunch program aligns with Indonesia's long-term goal of achieving a "Golden Indonesia" generation by 2045. By improving child nutrition, enhancing education outcomes, and supporting the agricultural sector, the program contributes to the overall development and prosperity of the nation. President Prabowo Subianto has emphasized the importance of the program in achieving this goal, stating that it is part of a longer-term strategy to develop the nation's human resources.
However, the program faces criticism from investors and analysts over its affordability and sustainability. Some experts question whether the program's fiscal burden will lead to additional state debt and make it difficult for Prabowo's government to achieve its economic growth target of 8%. Nevertheless, the Indonesian government remains confident in its ability to manage the program's logistical challenges and ensure its long-term sustainability.
In conclusion, Indonesia's free lunch program is a significant initiative aimed at improving child nutrition, enhancing education outcomes, and supporting the agricultural sector. While the program faces challenges and criticisms, it aligns with the nation's long-term development goals and has the potential to make a positive impact on the health, education, and economy of Indonesia.