Getting small farmers in on free meals


Working the land: A farmer pulling out grass that grows alongside cabbage and other crops planted on the slope of Mount Papandayan in Garut, West Java province. — The Straits Times/ANN

A decades- old social forestry scheme where local communities tend to state land mostly for the purpose of conservation has become a key part of the government’s free meal programme for millions of people.

President Prabowo Subianto and his administration plan to feed some 80 million people within the first two years of launching the ambitious programme, set to officially begin in January.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
food , farmers

Next In Aseanplus News

Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Thursday (Dec 18, 2025)
China says arms trade with Cambodia, Thailand unrelated to border conflict
NParks investigating Singapore influencer over dog abuse allegations
Thailand and Laos discuss economic cooperation plan to boost trade to US$11bil by 2027
Sri Lanka arrests three men for burning elephant alive
Jail for man in Singapore who struck domestic helper with knife, kicked police officer and stole mobile phone
Body found in bag believed to be missing Ampang woman, say cops
Three Songkhla districts warned of flash floods and mudslides
Jail for man and his mother after he misappropriates over S$1.2mil from firm’s bank account in Singapore
Nadma coordinating immediate action in six flood-hit states, says Anwar

Others Also Read