How India inspired Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s free meal plan for schoolchildren

There’s no such thing as a free lunch is the popular adage. However, in Indonesia that isn’t true. President Prabowo Subianto’s new government began dishing out free meals to more than a quarter of his people, starting today (January 6).

According to a Reuters report, a whopping 5,70,000 mouths were fed on the opening day of the new programme.

The Free Nutritious Meal programme delivers on a campaign promise by President Prabowo Subianto, who was elected last year to lead the nation, which has more than 282 million people and Southeast Asia’s largest economy.

What is Indonesia’s ambitious free meal programme?

President Prabowo Subianto’s administration officially began its term on October 20, 2024. One of his flagship programmes, the Free Nutritious Meal scheme, was introduced as part of his election manifesto.

The Indonesian parliament has already passed a budget of 3,621.3 trillion rupiah (US$237 billion) for 2025, with the free meal initiative alone costing a significant 71 trillion rupiah (US$4.4 billion). This initiative is set to target approximately 82.9 million school children across the country, providing meals five days a week.

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In recent months, concerns over the programme’s budget have surfaced. Initial funding provided 15,000 rupiah (US$0.93) per child, but some experts suggest that the allocation could be reduced to 7,500 rupiah to ensure the overall budget stays within the planned limits.

Speaking to Singapore-based Channel News Asia, Heriyanto Irawan, an economist and managing partner at Verdhana Sekuritas, has stressed that “the key is to manage this free lunch programme within the allocated budget of 71 trillion rupiah, without expanding it to 200 trillion rupiah or more.”

However, Indonesian Vice President-elect Gibran Rakabuming Raka dismissed these concerns, affirming that the 15,000 rupiah per meal allocation remains intact: “Who said it would be cut? The budget remains 15,000 rupiah; there is no plan to cut it.”

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How did India inspire Indonesia’s mid-day meal scheme?

In April 2024, an Indonesian delegation led by Mochammad Firman Hidayat, Deputy Coordinating Minister of Maritime Resources, visited India to study its successful mid-day meal programme.

The Indian initiative has been instrumental in addressing malnutrition and boosting school attendance rates. The delegation, eager to replicate India’s success, gathered key insights into the logistics, nutritional quality, and implementation strategies of the mid-day meal scheme, which has served millions of children for over two decades.

One of the pivotal stops for the delegation was Akshaya Patra’s kitchen in Bangalore, the largest non-profit partner in India’s mid-day meal programme. Akshaya Patra’s innovative approach to serving high-quality meals at scale made a lasting impression on the Indonesian team.

The delegation also explored the roles of central and local governments in India’s programme, taking note of the importance of synergy across various levels of administration.

What challenges await Indonesia’s meal programme?

Will fish milk be used?

A unique component of Indonesia’s meal programme is the potential use of “fish milk,” a locally produced fish protein drink that could serve as a dairy alternative. Fish milk was developed by Indonesian companies such as Beri Protein, in collaboration with the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, as part of the government’s broader strategy to maximise the use of its abundant fish resources.

Fish milk contains Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids and has been promoted as an environmentally friendly and cost-effective alternative to cow’s milk. “Meanwhile, we have very large sea fish potential,” said Minister of Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises Teten Masduki.

Despite its potential, fish milk has sparked debates among nutritionists and critics, with concerns about its strong taste, texture, and possible allergens.

Speaking to Indonesian news agency Antara, Dr Fitri Hudayan, a dietitian at Cipto Mangunkusumo National Central Public Hospital, warned that “there is insufficient scientific backing on its long-term health benefits,” while also noting the risk of allergies. The Indonesian government, however, has not yet confirmed the inclusion of fish milk in the school meal programme.

A strain on the budget?

The free meal initiative is not without its financial and political challenges. The programme’s projected cost, though earmarked at 71 trillion rupiah, could strain Indonesia’s fiscal resources.

Analysts have warned that funding such an expansive initiative may push the country’s budget deficit, which is projected to reach 2.53 per cent of the GDP in 2025, towards its legal limit of 3 per cent. In fact, earlier estimates suggested that the programme could cost as much as 450 trillion rupiah annually if fully expanded.

In addition to the fiscal concerns, critics have pointed to Indonesia’s limited dairy production capacity. The country’s domestic milk production can meet only 22.7 per cent of its needs, and demand is increasing as production has declined from 951,003 tonnes in 2018 to 837,223 tonnes in 2023. This dependency on imported dairy could further complicate the cost management of the meal programme.

Where does Indonesia’s free meal initiative fit long term?

Indonesia’s plan to implement the free meal programme also aligns with its broader goals of improving digital inclusion and economic resilience.

During their visit to India, the Indonesian delegation explored the Indian government’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), particularly the Jan Dhan Aadhar Mobile (JAM) trinity initiative, which facilitated direct benefit transfers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Indonesian government is considering adapting similar technology to streamline logistics, reduce operational costs, and enhance accountability in the free meal programme.

To garner public support, the government has allocated 10 million rupiah to pay influencers to promote the initiative. Indonesian Communications Minister Budi Arie Setiadi explained that the effort aims to raise awareness about the programme’s importance, especially given that 20 per cent of Indonesian children under the age of five were stunted in 2022.

Will Indonesia’s free meal programme be a success?

The success of Indonesia’s free meal programme will hinge on its ability to provide nutritious food within the allocated budget. Budiman Sudjatmiko, a senior member of Prabowo’s presidential campaign team, stated, “The issue isn’t just about the price per portion; it’s about providing nutritious food.”

The administration is exploring ways to source ingredients locally, through community kitchens or village enterprises, to maintain both nutritional quality and cost stability.

While Prabowo Subianto’s Free Nutritious Meal scheme faces hurdles, including questions around budget, logistics, and nutrition, the programme has the potential to make a lasting impact on the lives of millions of Indonesian children.

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With inputs from agencies