Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan has warned that the country must urgently boost protein supply to meet the 82.9 million portions required for the national Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program launching in 2026. 

The program’s demand is directly tied to its beneficiary count, prompting the government to scramble for additional protein sources.

“If every beneficiary gets one egg a day, we need 82.9 million eggs. If it is fish, then we need 82.9 million cuts of fish,” he told participants at the National Fish Day 2025 commemoration in Jakarta on Sunday (23/11/2025), as quoted by antaranews.com.

Minister Zulkifli cautioned that without increasing domestic production, protein prices could spike due to market pressure. The government is now examining localized protein sources based on regional dietary preferences, comparing food habits between Papua, Sumatra, and Java, to diversify supply for the MBG menu.

He also announced the target of achieving national protein self-sufficiency by 2026, emphasizing protein’s role in improving the national intelligence level.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)