MAKASSAR – The Minister of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions (Mendes PDT), Yandri Susanto, targets various local products from villages across South Sulawesi (Sulsel) to be exported to 59 countries globally.

According to the Minister, achieving this goal requires strong commitment and close supervision from every Village Head, which must then be followed up with community empowerment and mentoring for rural economic actors.

"Yesterday, I made an agreement that we will export village materials or products to 59 countries. Therefore, Village Heads across South Sulawesi can establish thematic villages," said Minister Yandri during his briefing at the Alert Roll Call (Apel Siaga) attended by all Village Heads from South Sulawesi at the South Sulawesi Governor's Official Residence Field, Makassar, Wednesday (May 13, 2026).

"In the future, out of more than two thousand villages in South Sulawesi, we could be exporting lemongrass, in addition to meeting local demands," he added.

Broadly speaking, Minister Yandri is optimistic that with an expanded market reach, economic circulation will steadily rise, leading to evenly distributed prosperity for rural communities. This shift will also enable local producers to scale up their production capacity.

Furthermore, he noted that penetrating global markets automatically requires local products to meet international standards, which naturally drives improvements in quality and product compliance.

"This is so the people in the villages prosper, production increases, and South Sulawesi's local products go global. Because at the Ministry of Villages, we have the Export Village program," Minister Yandri explained.

He also urged all Village Heads to map out their primary village commodities—whether in agriculture, plantations, fisheries, or craftsmanship—to ensure they possess a competitive edge and meet global market quality standards.

This initiative aligns with the 6th Asta Cita (Aspiration), which emphasizes building from the villages and aims to shift the rural paradigm from being mere objects of development to becoming the subjects or primary actors of the economy, while boosting community welfare by optimizing local potential.

"I have already informed the Governor that I will return here with the buyers to sign contracts directly with the village heads," he concluded.

The event was attended by the Governor of South Sulawesi Andi Sudirman Sulaiman, Member of Commission IX of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) Ashabul Kahfi, Inspector General of the Ministry of Villages Masyhudi, and the Head of Kesbangpol for South Sulawesi Province, Bustanul Arifin.

Photo: Angga/Kemendes PDT 
Text: Dayat/Kemendes PDT