JAKARTA – The Minister of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions (Mendes PDT), Yandri Susanto, commended Starbucks Indonesia for its successful initiatives to empower local coffee farmers and integrate them as primary suppliers across its store network in Indonesia.

He emphasized that large-scale sourcing paired with fair pricing by Starbucks Indonesia significantly enhances the livelihoods of local farmers, while simultaneously mitigating global supply chain risks such as logistics disruptions and surging freight costs.

"Starbucks Indonesia's empowerment efforts for local rural farmers are highly commendable. In fact, they deserve recognition under the community empowerment program category at the upcoming National Village Day 2027," Minister Yandri noted while receiving an official audience from Senior Advisor for Starbucks Asia Region, Dino Patti Djalal, and his delegation at the Kemendes PDT office on Thursday (September 3, 2026).

Minister Yandri also outlined the ministry's Export Village initiative, designed to bring local rural commodities to international markets. This initiative aims to bolster regional economies while strengthening Indonesia's position in global markets.

Furthermore, the program optimizes community-based primary commodities at the village level to meet export standards. Venturing into export markets delivers added value and significantly higher profit margins compared to domestic distribution.

"We manage an Export Village program here, Mr. Dino, with approximately 5,000 villages targeted for international export readiness. Leveraging your extensive international network, we hope to connect these villages with new export destination countries," Minister Yandri added.

In response, Senior Advisor for Starbucks Asia Region, Dino Patti Djalal, highlighted that Indonesia stands as one of the world's premier coffee producers, renowned for its rich diversity of flavor profiles.

The former Deputy Foreign Minister emphasized that promoting Indonesian coffee internationally extends beyond selling a commodity; it serves as a strategic pillar for economic growth, cultural identity, and national diplomacy.

"Wherever my postings took me—whether in the United States, the United Kingdom, or Germany—I consistently urged colleagues to promote Indonesian coffee. Remarkably, even in remote locations across those countries, I frequently encountered coffee shops featuring 'Coffee from Sumatra' menu items," the former Indonesian Ambassador to the United States remarked.

Attending the audience were Secretary-General Taufik Madjid, Head of BPSDM Agustomi Masik, Director General of PEID Tabrani, Director General of PDP Nugroho Setijo Nagoro, and Head of BPI Mulyadin Malik.

Photo: Wening/Kemendes PDT 
Text: Dayat/Kemendes PDT