Tried To Replicate India’s Midday Meal Model To Fight Child Malnutrition, Why This Country Is Struggling to Sustain It | World News

Jakarta: Six months ago, Indonesia, the largest country in Southeast Asia, launched an initiative to address child malnutrition. The government decided to give free food to children who went to school. This program is part of the vision of President Prabowo SubIano’s transformation of Indonesia into a “Golden Nation” in the next 20 years. The plan aims to make Indonesia a high -income country as it approaches the centenary of independence.

The President believes that the end of the child’s malnutrition is necessary to strengthen the economy. However, reaching 80 million children spread over 700 islands is not only expensive and difficult, but also controversial.

Child malnutrition in Indonesia

Malnutism between children is a serious problem here. One out of every five children is shorter than normal for their age. One out of 14 is extremely thin, which threatens future growth and increases the risk of disease.

There are many difficulties in addressing this problem. The large population of Indonesia, cultural diversity and lack of education complicates the issue.

It lacks appropriate ways in many remote areas, which makes it difficult to provide help. Population of 285 million wide economic inequality. Approximately 60.3% or more than 172 million people live below the poverty limit in very few developed regions.

Safe drinking water is another urgent need. The 2022 UNICEF study found that 70% of the drinking water of Indonesian houses contained sewage pollutants.

Lack of education worsen the problem. Poverty prevents many people from accessing nutritious foods. Awareness of clean water and hygiene also play a major role.

Many parents do not know what a nutritious diet looks for children. Some children are raised by grandmother and relatives because their parents migrate for work.

Solving child malnutrition is critical for the development of Indonesia. Free school dinner program is an important step, because children who are malnourished cannot work well, which affects the country’s future human capital.

Vision of President Prabowo

Before becoming president in 2024, Subio, an old army general with a controversial history, promised to end the economic growth, increasing foreign investment and child poverty and malnutrition.

During his campaign, he promised economic assistance to young mothers and children, the poor, three times a week and five days a week. He also emphasized self -confidence in food and energy.

The program requires approximately 10% of the national budget. Although it aims to feed more than 80 million people, only 5 million are free of charge.

Lessons from India’s Mid -Day Dishes

The questions appear to be the right way to solve the problem. Infrastructure gaps limit the access of the program. There are doubts if there are enough talented cooks to prepare such a large amount of food.

Some children were subjected to food poisoning. President Prabowo asked for rapid results in the first year, so the plan was rushed without sufficient attention to important details.

Does the large population and political system make it difficult to implement? Lack of transparency program. The people do not understand why the problem continues. The president may also use the program to increase his image as a problem solving.

India offers a successful free dinner program example. In 2001, the Supreme Court of India declared a constitutional right for all children in public schools. Today, the mid -food plan started as pilot projects in states such as Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

Before the program was started, many girls were not sent to school for cultural reasons. Free food motivated families to send their daughters, improved their literacy and education levels.

Another important challenge was to build enough schools and kitchens to prepare food that required significant investments. Over time, the quality of participation and education developed. Children’s health and physical development have benefited by positively affecting future generations.

Better nutrition increases the economy and increases productivity and skills. However, these benefits receive time and facial obstacles.

Protests, budget cuts

Despite ambition, the reaction of the people in Indonesia was confused. To finance the free cooking program, President Prabowo forced his educational budgets by reducing public expenditures by 8% in January.

Thousands of students protested throughout the country by naming the ‘Black Indonesia’ movements as a critique of the government’s so -called ‘Golden Indonesia’ plan.

Students think that the program does not meet the real education needs. Local governments and unemployed people are opposing it, concern that budget cuts reduce jobs and harm local economies.

Rice prices, local economic difficulties

Rice is a fiber in Indonesia, but although it is a major manufacturer, the country imports large amounts. It makes rice prices variable by threatening the production of floods and climate change.

Free food plans should focus on more local cereals to support farmers and to eat at home.

Small businesses are opposed to the program, because the food is prepared by the army, which provides chicken from large poultry farms and leaves local sellers. This also clashes with promises of creating more local business.

The role of the army is controversial, especially after the reports of 40 children who got sick in Java after making red chicken in the army barracks.

Can this plan terminate malnutrition?

If financing does not increase next year, there will be more budget cuts that harm the economy.

Family income should be increased so that parents themselves can provide nutritious foods.

Indonesia’s free dinner program is a bold and politically directed effort faced by many difficulties. Critics point to interruptions to pay training and basic services.

Child health is vital for the future of the country. It depends on whether Indonesia can maintain this ambitious plan and how effectively the government is dealt with.