JAKARTA – The Minister of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions, Yandri Susanto, is pushing for the acceleration of village infrastructure development in Yahukimo Regency, Highland Papua Province. This initiative aims to bolster the local economy and expand market access for agricultural produce, serving as a strategic step to advance villages rich in natural resources.

The region's potential includes crops such as potatoes, carrots, cabbage, and other paddy field products which have the potential to be marketed across provinces. However, Yahukimo Regency currently lacks sufficient access, such as adequate village roads, bridges, and transportation facilities—critical factors for distributing agricultural yields to broader markets.

"We will focus on building production roads, providing clean water, and constructing bridges. This is because we want to market those potatoes not just within Yahukimo, but also to Java, Kalimantan, and Sulawesi," said Minister Yandri during an audience with the Regent of Yahukimo, Didimus Yahuli, at the Ministry of Villages office, Wednesday (March 11, 2026).

This plan will be realized in the near future through a collaborative program between the Ministry and the World Bank. The objective is to accelerate development in Eastern Indonesia, specifically targeting Highland Papua to ensure that progress is not centralized only in Java or areas near the national capital.

Yahukimo Regency is known for its high soil fertility. These conditions are considered ideal for supporting the realization of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program and the Merah Putih Village Cooperatives, provided that infrastructure constraints are promptly addressed.

Meanwhile, the Yahukimo local government welcomed the initiative and expressed hope that Minister Yandri’s support would speed up village development in the region. With proper infrastructure, residents are expected to increase agricultural production while strengthening the village economy.

Beyond infrastructure, the meeting also discussed accelerating the improvement of the community's quality of life and economy. Key objectives include reducing poverty and malnutrition, increasing income, and providing temporary employment through infrastructure development based on local resources.

Implementation strategies under consideration include the Merah Putih Village Cooperatives (KDMP), Village-Owned Enterprises (BUMDes), fiscal incentive funds for disadvantaged regions, and cash-for-work programs. These efforts will involve multiple stakeholders, including the Yahukimo Regency Government and the Ministry, driven by a spirit of collaboration.

Foto: Wening/Kemendes PDT 
Teks: Ria/Kemendes PDT