The government is taking measures to speed up provision of nutritional access across the country, targeting the construction of 1,542 Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPGs) by the end of 2025. 

The initiative, led by the National Nutrition Agency (Badan Gizi Nasional), targets underserved areas including agglomerated zones and the country’s most underdeveloped, outermost, and remote areas (3T regions).

Head of the National Nutrition Agency, Dadan Hindayana, said that 25,000 units have already been established through multi-stakeholder partnerships, with an additional 6,000 expected to be deployed to 3T areas.

“To date, we’ve recorded 3,233 active nutrition service units, serving 8.2 million beneficiaries,” Dadan told apress conference at Public Works Ministry Office on Tuesday, August 5, 2025.

He emphasized that the current expansion program aims to reach all regencies by 2025, ensuring no area is left behind.

The agency has allocated Rp6 trillion (US$374 million) for infrastructure development alone, excluding equipment costs. However, none of the new units have begun construction as of August, due to regulatory hurdles and unresolved land use agreements.

“We initially aimed for completion by August, but legal and land procurement issues have caused delays. We’re asking for Public Works Ministry assistance to accelerate land processing and fund implementation. Our goal is to complete construction by October and serve all 8.2 million beneficiaries by December,” Dadan said.

To meet these targets, each regency is expected to host at least three new SPPGs, with priority given to regions lacking easy access. Areas requiring more than 30 minutes of travel are automatically categorized as priority for facility development, even if the expected number of recipients is under 200.

The design of SPPGs in such regions will be adjusted for scale with a reduced building size of approximately 10 by 12 meters suitable for a service population of under 1,000.

Dadan highlighted that most of the 25,000 existing units were built through collaborations with ministries, local administrations, and NGOs under the free nutritious meal program.

The expansion will continue using two models: partner-built facilities, where construction costs are covered by non-government entities and operational costs are supported via government incentives; and state-funded units, financed under the state budget (APBN) and supported with a fixed management fee to local implementing partners, including community groups and volunteers.

“This is a continuation of our current system. We will provide formal mandates to community groups to manage the state-built facilities with support from 47 trained volunteers,” Dadan cited.

The government hopes to complete all 1,542 SPPGs by the end of the year, maximizing its effort to reduce malnutrition and support food security program, especially in vulnerable communities.

Meanwhile, Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo expressed confidence in the ministry’s ability to support the construction targets, citing prior experience building “Sekolah Rakyat” (People’s School) or public learning centers.

“Compared to Sekolah Rakyat, these buildings are smaller, just 800 to 1,000 square meters which makes them easier and faster to build,” Dody said.

“We will replicate our successful collaboration model with the Ministry of Social Affairs for this program with the National Nutrition Agency,” he cited.

Dody added that the main obstacle is land availability, which remains under the authority of regional governments. The ministry plans to coordinate with the Home Affairs Ministry to initiate high-level discussions with provincial and local officials.

A joint task force is being formed to assess the readiness of each proposed site, examining factors such as land quality, water access, sanitation, and infrastructure. “Insya Allah (God willing), construction will begin soon,” Dody said.