JAKARTA, The Kabar News—The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) aims to introduce a digital procurement system at about 26,700 SPPGs serving the Free Meals (MBG) program in January 2027 as the government seeks to improve spending oversight across the nationwide initiative.

BGN is developing the platform, called Loka MBG, with the Primary and Secondary Education Ministry. The two institutions formalized their cooperation through an agreement that allows BGN to adapt the ministry’s School Procurement Information System (SIPLah) for Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPGs).

The platform will connect participating SPPGs with suppliers through electronic marketplaces operated by government-approved e-commerce providers (PPMSEs). It will also record transactions and display product information, making purchases easier to audit.

“We see this as an opportunity to learn from and benchmark a system that has already worked well,” BGN head Sudaryono said in Jakarta.

“Rather than building something from scratch that has not been tested, it is better to adopt an existing system and adjust it to meet SPPG requirements. We hope SPPG procurement governance can eventually perform as well as the system implemented by the Education Ministry,” he added.

The government is testing Loka MBG at 40 SPPGs with approximately 200 suppliers, according to an official Education Ministry release. The ministry soft-launched the platform on Oct. 30 and plans a broader launch in December.

BGN expects to extend the system nationwide in January 2027, although Sudaryono said the timetable would depend on the pilot results and technical readiness.

“The implementation has gone well so far,” he said. “We hope the system can operate in all SPPGs by January next year. However, we still need to review the trial and ensure that the system is ready. If we can accelerate it, we will certainly do so.”

SIPLah provides a tested model for the project. The education procurement ecosystem connects schools with 73,725 registered stores across 496 regencies and cities. It allows users to compare prices, place orders and retain searchable transaction records within one system.

Under the partnership, the Education Ministry will provide access to relevant SIPLah information and assist with system development. It will also supply specialists for technical training. Marketplace operators will facilitate transactions between SPPGs and eligible businesses.

Education Minister Abdul Mu’ti said the cooperation should help improve the delivery of free meals to students.

“God willing, this is a very positive partnership,” Mu’ti said. “We hope it will make MBG services better and more accurately targeted so that students across Indonesia can benefit.”

The digital platform could strengthen accountability by giving BGN a clearer record of prices, suppliers and kitchen purchases. However, its effectiveness will depend on supplier verification, reliable internet access and the ability of thousands of kitchen operators to use the system consistently.

A successful rollout would give BGN a common procurement trail across the MBG network while opening a more structured market for qualified local suppliers.