KUPANG – The Minister of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions (Mendes PDT), Yandri Susanto, visited the "Damai Lifuleo" Village-Owned Enterprise (BUMDesa) in West Kupang District, Kupang Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Province, on Friday (May 15, 2026).

The BUMDesa visited by Minister Yandri manages several tourist destinations, including Oesina Beach, Salupu Beach, Eno Kono Beach, the Tuadale Freshwater Pool, and the Bat Cave. Additionally, this village enterprise manages livestock, fisheries, rental services, and agriculture.

Minister Yandri praised the tourism potential managed by BUMDesa Damai Lifuleo, noting its beautiful location and supporting infrastructure that ensures convenience and comfort for visitors.

"I observed that a culinary center, gazebos, and an ecotourism information center are already in place to assist tourists with information regarding Oesina Beach," Minister Yandri stated.

Nevertheless, Minister Yandri expressed hope that the BUMDesa tourism operators would continue to innovate and improve infrastructure to keep tourists interested in returning to Oesina Beach.

He emphasized that promoting tourism villages effectively across various online and offline channels is crucial to attracting more visitors and increasing village revenue.

"Involving village residents—including tour guides, souvenir craftsmen, and artists—through empowerment programs will deliver a direct economic impact and improve the overall welfare of rural communities," Minister Yandri added.

During the working visit, Minister Yandri also inspected the construction site of the Merah Putih Village Cooperative (KDMP) outlet in Lifuleo Village. This inspection aimed to monitor the latest progress of President Prabowo Subianto’s administration's priority program.

The Minister highlighted that villages have now become active subjects of development, as explicitly outlined in the 6th Asta Cita (Aspiration): "Building from the Village and from the Bottom-Up for Economic Equality and Poverty Eradication."

Furthermore, government priority initiatives heavily target villages. A prime example is the Merah Putih Village Cooperative, which will eventually feature seven business units: a pharmacy, a clinic, a savings and loan unit, a cooperative office, basic food supply, warehousing or cold storage, and logistics.

"Let us ensure the success of the Merah Putih Village Cooperative, as it will accelerate economic circulation in villages across Indonesia and directly boost community welfare," Minister Yandri urged.

In addition to the KDMP, the government is rolling out the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program. This initiative not only provides nutritious food for children but serves as an economic engine for rural residents.

One way for villagers to participate in the success of the MBG program is by creating thematic villages—such as poultry (egg-laying) villages, meat production villages, tilapia fish villages, or tomato villages—tailored to local potentials.

"The demand for raw materials for the MBG program is exceptionally high. For instance, approximately 80 million eggs are required daily. Therefore, the yields produced by villagers will be collected by BUMDesa and subsequently distributed to the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG)," Minister Yandri explained.

Beyond fulfilling the needs of the MBG program, these thematic villages are envisioned to bolster Indonesia's national food security.

The working visit was attended by the Third Assistant to the NTT Provincial Government Yohannes Oktovianus, Head of the NTT PMD Office Alexander Koroh, Kupang Regency Regional Secretary Mateldius Sanam, Head of the Kupang Regency PMD Office Jon Sula, West Kupang District Head Villy Nakamnanuk, the Kupang Regency Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda), and the Head of Lifuleo Village Swingly Say.

Accompanying Minister Yandri were the Director General of Village Economic Development and Investment Tabrani, NTT Provincial Coordinator Zainul Arifin, and several Village Facilitators.

Photo: Andri/Kemendes PDT 
Text: Firman/Kemendes PDT