JAKARTA – Minister of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions (Mendes PDT) Yandri Susanto encouraged collaboration between central and regional governments to optimize rural potential as an engine for economic growth and public welfare enhancement. One such strategic initiative is the Anyer–Panarukan 3R (Road, Route, Roots) program, which connects the economic assets of thousands of villages along the historic Anyer–Panarukan corridor.

Minister Yandri delivered his support during the Kick-Off of Anyer–Panarukan 3R (Road, Route, Roots) in Jakarta on Sunday (October 11, 2026). He emphasized that the initiative serves as a collaborative platform to develop rural potential while respecting the unique local characteristics and comparative advantages of each region.

"We are building strong collaboration with regional governments. We fully support this initiative by mapping the economic potential of villages situated along the Anyer–Panarukan route. We will mobilize rural communities so that this program elevates the status and capacity of local villages while keeping their respective core strengths at the forefront," Minister Yandri stated.

Kemendes PDT expects this collaboration to yield tangible impacts on rural development, particularly by expanding local micro-enterprises, broadening market access for flagship local commodities, and strengthening community-based tourism. Under this approach, villages will not merely serve as transit points along a corridor, but rather as main actors directly benefiting from the economic activities generated along the route.

This move directly aligns with the 12 Actions to Build Villages, Build Indonesia (12 Aksi Bangun Desa, Bangun Indonesia) framework, a flagship Kemendes PDT policy derived from the 6th Asta Cita pillar of President Prabowo Subianto: Building from the Villages and Grassroots to Achieve Economic Equity and Poverty Eradication. Through these 12 Actions, Kemendes PDT strives to optimize rural resources, strengthen community empowerment, and unlock sustainable economic opportunities to elevate living standards in rural areas.

Through this project, Kemendes PDT promotes rural potential development through multi-faceted models, including Thematic Villages (Desa Tematik), Export Villages (Desa Ekspor), and Tourism Villages (Desa Wisata). These models can be synergized with the Anyer–Panarukan 3R initiative to fortify village-made products, widen market channels, and enhance the appeal of heritage-, cultural-, and local wisdom-based destinations.

In its execution, village development strategies must be tailored to regional assets and community needs. Villages producing high-value commodities will focus on product refinement and marketing expansion, while those with scenic or historical appeal will be guided to build community-driven tourism destinations. Consequently, rural development goes beyond destination marketing to foster viable business opportunities and raise household incomes.

The Anyer–Panarukan 3R program employs three core pillars: Road, focusing on infrastructure and connectivity; Route, emphasizing travel experiences and destination development; and Roots, honoring historical heritage, local culture, and community identity. Beyond Serang Regency and Situbondo Regency as the main initiators, other regional administrations along the Anyer–Panarukan route are expected to participate actively.

Regent of Serang Ratu Rachmatuzakiyah and Regent of Situbondo Yusuf Rio Wahyu Prayogo expressed optimism that Anyer–Panarukan 3R will act as a regional development catalyst, bringing concrete benefits to local populations through heightened economic momentum. Developing thematic villages tailored to local attributes represents a key mechanism to convert historical and cultural heritage into sustainable economic growth.

Photo: Mugi/Kemendes PDT 
Texxt: Ria/Kemendes PDT