Jakarta, Aug. 6 -- Indonesia's National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has prepared 1,700 kitchens serving the Free Nutritious Meals program to begin operations in areas with high and very high stunting rates, its head Sudaryono said in Jakarta on Thursday.

The rollout follows President Prabowo Subianto's directive to prioritize regions with the highest stunting prevalence and expand the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and children under five.

"Based on the data overlay, around 1,700 kitchens are ready and fully built. They are located in areas with high and very high stunting rates, and we will gradually put them into operation," Sudaryono said.

He clarified that reports suggesting the government...