SERANG – The Minister of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions (Mendes PDT), Yandri Susanto, emphasized the critical importance of collaboration in realizing the entire spectrum of development, from the village level up to the national stage. Consequently, he has strictly prohibited any single party from acting as a sole actor without engaging the contributions of local citizens, all tiers of government, private enterprises, and other relevant sectors.

This collaborative approach is notably required to guarantee the success of the Green Economy Self-Sufficiency and Integrated Food Security (SEHATI) Program, a joint initiative between the Ministry and the World Bank. Multiple institutions are being directly engaged, spanning ministries and agencies such as the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), down to provincial, regency, and village administrations, as well as the broader public.

"BRIN will become active and directly involved in the SEHATI program. I also request civil society organizations (ormas) to involve every single element in the village when designing programs—be it community, youth, or religious leaders. Ensure that no one works in isolation. I strongly urge everyone to avoid running a 'one-man show' because the SEHATI program also encompasses tourism villages; we must ensure that no party is left in disagreement. The village is a miniature version of this Republic, making collaboration absolutely vital," the Minister outlined during his Keynote Speech at the Dissemination of Local Food Security Policies and Village Community Empowerment in Facing Climate Change Impacts in Cikande, Serang, on Tuesday (June 30, 2026).

The collaboration with BRIN is formalized under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding the "Synergy of Research and Innovation and Its Utilization in Supporting Development and Community Empowerment in Villages and Disadvantaged Regions," which was signed by both parties.

The scope of the agreement covers the exchange and utilization of data and/or information, the development and empowerment of rural communities and disadvantaged areas, the institutional strengthening of Village-Owned Enterprises (BUMDes) through the active involvement of youth, the formal recognition of collaboratively executed programs, and the capacity-building of human resources and institutions.

The signed MoU further solidifies BRIN's commitment to collaborating with the Ministry to secure economic growth in rural areas through modernization and innovation in harnessing local potentials. The direct presence of researchers in villages is also expected to secure a continuous succession of farmers and rural inhabitants, preventing villages from fading into mere folklore.

"BRIN stands ready to provide full backing and support vital tasks to assist the Minister. BRIN researchers will frequently visit villages to disseminate technologies that will progressively improve over time," asserted the Head of BRIN, Arif Satria.

This initiative forms a strategic part of broader efforts to boost the village economy, alongside improving infrastructure to secure better connectivity and streamline the marketing of local yields. The implementation of technology and digitalization is also being heavily accelerated, enabling farmers and village residents to enhance value-added productivity. Naturally, this path actively engages youth to return to their villages—a core message often championed by Minister Yandri through the Octahelix concept, given that rural economic resources are massive and must be utilized to their full potential.

The event was attended by village heads and apparatuses from across Banten Province. Also present during the opening session of the dissemination event were the Deputy Minister of Villages and PDT Ahmad Riza Patria, Vice Head of BRIN Amarulla Octavian, World Bank Task Team Leader Jessica Ludwig, Vice Governor of Banten Achmad Dimyati Natakusumah, and the Regent of Serang Ratu Rachmatuzakiyah.

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