BOGOR – The Ministry of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions (Kemendes PDT) presented awards to 9 High-Performing Villages (Desa Berkinerja Baik / DBB) for 2026 in recognition of their efforts in converging stunting prevention and accelerated reduction (P3S). The awards were presented directly by Minister of Villages PDT Yandri Susanto during the P3S national coordination meeting at The Mirah Hotel Bogor on Thursday (October 29, 2026).

In his address, Minister Yandri emphasized that stunting mitigation serves as a core indicator determining whether Indonesia will successfully advance as a nation. Citing national stunting prevalence data, he noted that the current stunting rate remains close to 20 percent. Therefore, continuous efforts to prevent and accelerate stunting reduction are imperative, as high stunting figures pose a serious challenge to the nation's future.

"Expectant mothers will give birth to the next generation. If this incoming generation suffers from malnutrition, exhibits stunted growth relative to their age, or lacks the intellectual capacity required of future leaders, it becomes a grave national issue," Minister Yandri stated.

Minister Yandri further noted that President Prabowo Subianto has stressed the critical involvement of ministries and agencies in curbing stunting. In support of this directive, Kemendes PDT permits the utilization of Village Funds (Dana Desa) to provide nutritional support for pregnant women and newborns to prevent stunting.

Moreover, under the administration of President Prabowo Subianto, the national government is massively rolling out the Free Nutritious Meal (Makan Bergizi Gratis / MBG) program as part of its strategy to improve nutrition and prevent stunting. He explained that MBG extends beyond delivering meals to the dining table; it actively establishes a supportive local economic ecosystem.

"Poverty and lack of basic resources are fundamental root causes of stunting. To address this poverty, we must jointly champion the 6th Asta Cita pillar: Building from the Villages and Grassroots to Achieve Economic Equity and Poverty Eradication," Minister Yandri explained.

He noted that economic equity is actively pursued through the MBG initiative, Red and White Village Cooperatives, as well as Kemendes PDT programs such as Village-Owned Enterprises (BUM Desa), Thematic Villages, Tourism Villages, and Export Villages—all designed to serve as local economic locomotives.

With the growth of rural economic potential, Minister Yandri expressed confidence in a rural economic revival capable of resolving stunting from multiple angles combining affirmative direct intervention for individuals with a systematically built rural economic ecosystem to eradicate poverty.

"God willing, by suppressing or eliminating poverty, we will naturally eliminate stunting that is the essence of this convergence strategy. Today, we bestow awards and appreciation upon villages demonstrating high commitment, serving as role models in converging stunting prevention and reduction efforts," Minister Yandri remarked.

"We hope this event inspires other villages to emulate the achievements of today's awardees in successfully preventing and reducing stunting," he added.

For context, the 9 selected award-winning villages were chosen based on rigorous performance evaluations of village administrations that successfully prevented and accelerated stunting reduction within their respective jurisdictions. The 2026 High-Performing Village award recipients are as follows:

1. Tirtohargo Village, Bantul Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta;

2. Kesambi Village, Kudus Regency, Central Java;

3. Sodong Village, Tangerang Regency, Banten;

4. Kahala Village, Kutai Kartanegara Regency, East Kalimantan;

5. South Sakra Village, East Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara;

6. Barimbun Village, Tabalong Regency, South Kalimantan;

7. Baobolak Village, Lembata Regency, East Nusa Tenggara;

8. Melin Megikar Village, Merauke Regency, South Papua;

9. Malamoja Village, Sorong Regency, Southwest Papua.

Photo: Didi/Kemendes PDT 
Text: Rifqi/Kemendes PDT