New Industry 4.0 milk plant boosts food security and supports national nutrition goals
Indonesia’s push to improve child nutrition is gaining momentum as private industry steps in with large-scale investment and advanced manufacturing.
Major Investment Backs National Nutrition Drive
Indonesia’s Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program has secured strong backing from the private sector, following a Rp1.14 trillion investment, over US$67 million, from PT Ultrajaya Milk Industry & Trading Company. The announcement was made by Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita on Saturday, highlighting the role of domestic manufacturers in supporting national nutrition priorities.
New Factory Dedicated to MBG Program
Ultrajaya recently inaugurated a new factory in the Cibitung industrial zone in Bekasi, West Java, on December 8, 2025. The facility is fully dedicated to producing ultra-high temperature milk in 125 ml and 200 ml packaging designed specifically for the MBG program. Production capacity is expected to expand further in March 2026 to meet growing demand.
Government Emphasizes Quality and Capacity
Kartasasmita stressed that Indonesia’s milk processing industry must meet strict requirements for production capacity, product quality, and raw material reliability. He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building strong partnerships between manufacturers and local dairy farmers to ensure long-term sustainability of the program.
Industry 4.0 Technology Boosts Efficiency
According to Acting Director General of Agroindustry Putu Juli Ardika, the new Ultrajaya plant adopts Industry 4.0 technologies to maximize efficiency and competitiveness. These include automated guided vehicles, autopilot forklifts, manufacturing execution systems, automated storage and retrieval systems, and an advanced ultrafiltration wastewater treatment facility.
Strengthening Raw Material Supply
To secure milk supply, Ultrajaya currently operates two dairy farms in West Java and North Sumatra with a combined herd of approximately 7,000 cattle. The company plans to expand further by adding 4,000 more cattle, reinforcing domestic supply chains and reducing reliance on imports.
Supporting Food Security Goals
The Ministry of Industry has invited Ultrajaya to join the National Lighthouse Industry 4.0 initiative. The program aims to strengthen Indonesia’s dairy sector, enhance national food security, and ensure consistent support for the MBG initiative through modernized and resilient production systems.
The partnership between the Indonesian government and Ultrajaya reflects a broader strategy to align nutrition programs with industrial innovation. By combining advanced technology, domestic farming, and private investment, the MBG program strengthens food security while creating opportunities for cross-border confidence among Indonesians and Singaporeans in the stability of Indonesia’s food supply ecosystem.
Sources: Metro TV News (2026) , EN Antara (2026)
Keywords: Free Nutritious Meals, Ultrajaya Milk, Indonesian Dairy Industry, Food Security Indonesia
