January 23, 2026 | 04:30 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia’s National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has launched the Mak Comblang Project (named after the Indonesian term for matchmaker), an initiative designed to directly connect local farmers with kitchens supplying the government’s Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program, in an effort to fix what officials describe as an inefficient and fragmented food supply chain.
The project began with a coordination meeting involving farmers and farmers’ groups in Cipanas, Cianjur Regency, West Java, on Monday, January 19, 2026.
The meeting aimed to map real conditions on the ground, including farmers’ production capacity and the supply needs of MBG kitchens, particularly in Jakarta and Bogor.
BGN spokesperson Dian Fatwa said farmers and MBG kitchens have so far operated separately, resulting in what she described as a supply paradox—production surpluses at the farm level alongside shortages and price volatility at the kitchen level.
“Many farmers in Cipanas are experiencing oversupply, while MBG kitchens in Jakarta and Bogor struggle to secure raw materials at stable prices. The Mak Comblang, or matchmaker, project is intended to directly connect these two sides,” Dian said in an official statement on Friday, January 23, 2026.
Initial mapping by BGN revealed a significant gap between production and demand. Corn production in Cipanas, for instance, stands at around 30 tons per month, while MBG kitchens in Jakarta alone require approximately 240 tons per month.
According to Dian, the disparity highlights the need for more integrated production planning.
Price disparities have also drawn attention. Dian noted that MBG kitchens currently purchase carrots at prices ranging from Rp15,000 to Rp25,000 per kilogram, while farmers receive only Rp1,500 to Rp3,000 per kilogram.
“This gap is not caused by excessive profits taken by any single party, but by a supply chain that is too long and poorly connected,” she said.
Through the Mak Comblang Project, BGN said it has begun openly mapping key commodities, production volumes, and kitchen demand.
The data will form the basis for planting and harvesting calendars, allowing farmers to produce more gradually and sustainably in line with actual needs.
The scheme is expected to provide greater market certainty and fairer prices for farmers, while ensuring a stable supply of raw materials for MBG kitchens.
In the longer term, MBG menus will also be adjusted to reflect local production, with nutrition experts involved to ensure food quality and nutritional standards.
Read: At WEF Davos, Prabowo Claims Free Meal Program Created 600,000 Jobs
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