SERANG – The Minister of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions (Mendes PDT), Yandri Susanto, alongside Regent of Serang Ratu Rachmatu Zakiyah, attended the 6th Cikolelet Festival 2026 at the Cikolelet Tourism Village Square on Friday evening (August 28, 2026).

Minister Yandri praised Cikolelet Village for its success in safeguarding and nurturing its local heritage, natural assets, and economic potential.

Consequently, Minister Yandri encouraged all attending residents to actively support the Cikolelet Festival series, which will run through September 17, 2026.

"Let us protect and preserve our rich culture and local wisdom," Minister Yandri stated.

Minister Yandri highlighted that Kemendes PDT is accelerating several flagship initiatives, including Tourism Villages, Export Villages, and Pioneer Rural Youth.

He detailed that the Ministry is collaborating with international partners to dispatch rural youth to study and work in Japan, supported by scholarships valued at up to IDR 300 million per participant.

"This is our approach to building human resource capacity in rural areas," Minister Yandri added.

Under the Export Village initiative, rural communities are empowered to export local commodities directly overseas. Minister Yandri invited Cikolelet Village to utilize this framework if it possesses export-ready products or potential.

Currently, the Ministry has secured access to 49 Export Destination Countries for village commodities.

Furthermore, Minister Yandri highlighted the Green Economy Self-Sufficiency and Integrated Food Security (SEHATI) Program, which offers financial assistance grants of up to IDR 2.5 billion per village.

Minister Yandri also called on rural residents to use social media platforms constructively to spread positive, accurate information.

"Do not use social media to spread negativity or misinformation," Minister Yandri emphasized.

Meanwhile, Regent Ratu noted that the Serang Regency Government fully recognizes that building Indonesia begins with developing its villages.

"Villages are not the backyard of national development; they are the spearhead and primary bastion of economic, social, and cultural progress," Regent Ratu asserted.

Regent Ratu expressed optimism that bilateral collaboration between Kemendes PDT and the Serang Regency Government will deepen following the Cikolelet Festival, particularly regarding BUM Desa capacity building and priority program allocations across all villages in Serang Regency.

During the event, Minister Yandri presented awards of appreciation to several key figures and partner organizations: Yoet Suharya (Sinar Mata Hati Chakra Hadirasa Foundation), Daniel Suharya (PT Galeria Dunia Hijau), Director of BUMDesma Cinangka Nusaibah, SPPG Cikolelet partner dr. H. Halili Sanusi, and representatives from PT KTI, Ade Budi Darma Adam and Jaja Iswandi.

Notable guests included Heads of Regional Government Agencies (OPD) within Serang Regency, Head of Cinangka District Tuti Setiwati, members of the Serang Regional Leadership Communication Forum (Forkopimda), Head of Cikolelet Village Ojat Darojat, and Director of BUMDesma Cinangka Nursaibah.

Accompanying Minister Yandri were Director General of Village Development (PDP) Nugroho Setijo Nagoro and Director of Infrastructure Farida Kurnianingrum.

Photo: Didi/Kemendes PDT 
Text: Firman/Kemendes PDT