Padang, April 22 -- The Indonesian government has disbursed Rp60 trillion (around US$3.5 billion) to thousands of kitchens operating under the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program nationwide, National Nutrition Agency (BGN) Head Dadan Hindayana reported.

"Praise be to God, we have transferred Rp60 trillion out of the MBG budget of Rp268 trillion (US$15.6 billion) to the virtual accounts of kitchens," he remarked in Padang City, West Sumatra, on Wednesday.

He explained that MBG funds channeled between January and April 2026 had helped stimulate regional economies across Indonesia, citing significant welfare impacts in Jember District, East Java.

Prior to MBG rollout, he said, orange farmers in Jember struggled with prices as low as Rp4,0...