JAKARTA – The Ministry of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions (Kemendes PDT) and the World Bank have agreed to promptly launch the Integrated Green Economy and Food Self-Sufficiency Program (Program Swasembada Ekonomi Hijau dan Pangan Terintegrasi / SEHATI). This effort ensures that key rural development targets—rural self-reliance, poverty reduction, and improved community welfare—are realized without delay.

This agreement marks a foundational step toward ensuring the SEHATI Program delivers sustainable benefits to rural communities. Designed as a long-term strategic initiative, the program aims to fortify rural economies while driving income growth and community prosperity.

"We agree that this is a sustainable initiative. Funds will not be spent as a one-off measure and then disappear. Because our goal is to build rural economic foundations, we want to see higher incomes, reduced poverty, improved welfare, and lower unemployment," stated Minister of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions Yandri Susanto during a meeting with World Bank Regional Practice Director for Human Development, East Asia and Pacific, Luis Benveniste, in Jakarta on Thursday (September 17, 2026).

The SEHATI Program is structured to act as a catalyst for economic growth rather than a one-time relief measure. Financial and operational support will focus exclusively on productive rural ventures rather than consumptive aid.

Additionally, the program integrates with top-tier government priorities, including the Free Nutritious Meal (Makan Bergizi Gratis / MBG) program and the Red and White Village/Subdistrict Cooperative (Koperasi Desa/Kelurahan Merah Putih / KDKMP), tailored to local rural needs. Accelerating program execution remains critical, as 75,266 villages stand ready to leverage their local economic potential through this framework.

Aligning with Kemendes PDT's push for rapid deployment, the World Bank reaffirmed its commitment to expedite fund disbursement upon finalizing administrative requirements alongside the Ministry of Finance and the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas).

"We will move as quickly as possible. You set the pace, and we will match it. I firmly believe that success breeds success. We see this program's potential to drive meaningful change, mobilize resources, and serve as an opportunity to watch rural communities flourish and build a better future," Benveniste explained.

Beyond accelerating rollout timelines, Kemendes PDT proposed scaling up financing allocations to expand the program's reach across Indonesian villages. The World Bank responded favorably to the proposal, subject to finalized inter-ministerial coordination among Kemendes PDT, the Ministry of Finance, and Bappenas.

With accelerated execution and potential funding expansions, the SEHATI Program is expected to strengthen rural financial ecosystems while expanding opportunities for villages to develop local assets sustainably. This joint commitment reinforces broader national efforts to ensure rural development investments deliver measurable gains in income generation, poverty alleviation, and public welfare.

Photo: Wening/Kemendes PDT 
Text: Ria/Kemendes PDT