JAKARTA – Minister of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions (Mendes PDT) Yandri Susanto affirmed that the Anugerah Penggerak Nusantara (Archipelago Changemaker Award) is not merely personal recognition for himself, but a tribute to all rural citizens who serve as the primary drivers of grassroots development.

According to Minister Yandri, the dedication and productivity of rural communities have given rise to export-oriented villages that not only propel local economic growth, but also serve as critical pillars of national food security.

"I dedicate this award to all rural citizens across Indonesia's 75,266 villages, guided by the 6th Asta Cita pillar: Building from the Villages and Grassroots to Achieve Economic Equity and Poverty Eradication," Minister Yandri explained upon receiving the Anugerah Penggerak Nusantara award hosted by iNews Media Group in Central Jakarta on Thursday (November 12, 2026).

Furthermore, Minister Yandri stated that in alignment with President Prabowo Subianto’s Asta Cita agenda, the Ministry of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions remains steadfastly committed to accelerating economic equity and poverty eradication through the 12 Actions to Build Villages, Build Indonesia (12 Aksi Bangun Desa, Bangun Indonesia) program.

This program serves as a strategic policy instrument to fortify village-based development, optimize local economic potential, and ensure rural communities stand at the forefront of national welfare improvement and equitable development.

"Therefore, in accordance with the President's Asta Cita vision to achieve both economic equity and poverty eradication, we have established the 12 Actions to Build Villages, Build Indonesia framework," Minister Yandri detailed.

Minister Yandri also continues to promote the diversification of rural economic potential through the development of Export Villages (Desa Ekspor), Tourism Villages (Desa Wisata), and Thematic Villages (Desa Tematik) as a core strategy to strengthen local economies and expand employment opportunities.

These initiatives have yielded inaugural export shipments from numerous villages while establishing specialized economic hubs based on flagship local commodities—ranging from tilapia and catfish aquaculture to other productive sectors.

He emphasized that this step is vital to the government's broader effort to position villages as competitive, sustainable new centers of economic growth.

"As noted earlier, we have Export Villages, through which we have facilitated numerous inaugural exports. We also have Tourism Villages that generate substantial employment, alongside Thematic Villages such as Tilapia Villages, Catfish Villages, and various other specialized hubs," he concluded.

Dignitaries attending the event included Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian, Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Meutya Hafid, Head of the Development Control and Special Investigation Agency (Bappisus) Aries Marsudiyanto, Head of the Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH) Ahmad Haikal Hasan, and Head of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) Arif Satria.

Accompanying Minister Yandri was Head of the Information Development Agency (BPI) of Kemendes PDT Mulyadin Malik.

Photo: Mugi/Kemendes PDT 
Author: Dayat/Kemendes PDT