Jambi (ANTARA) - Minister of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions (PDT) Yandri Susanto called on regional leaders to identify village potentials and drive village-run enterprises (BUMDes) to fully capitalize on rural prospects.
He conveyed this directive while holding an audience with local leaders of Jambi Province, including Jambi Governor Al Haris and hundreds of village heads in Jambi City on Sunday.
"The PDT Ministry has been echoing the tagline of 'Developing Villages, Developing Indonesia,' highlighting the pivotal role of rural regions in driving Indonesia's development. We believe that thriving villages will stimulate growth at the district and provincial levels," he remarked.
On that note, Susanto emphasized the importance of BUMDes acquiring legal entity status and mobilizing a minimum of 20 percent of village funds toward efforts aimed at building food security.
"I would like to urge unregistered BUMDes to apply for legal entity status. Further, starting in 2025, 20 percent of village funds dedicated to food security should be managed by BUMDes instead of being distributed directly to individuals as aid," he stated.
The minister explained that such an approach would help local governments foster a higher level of transparency in the use of the funds.
On the occasion, Governor Al Haris briefed Minister Susanto on a number of social welfare programs implemented by the provincial administration.
The Jambi leader also expressed the belief that the minister possesses adequate insights about villages and their conditions, considering his rural upbringing.
During his Jambi visit, Susanto is scheduled to undertake various activities, including attending the commemoration of Jambi's 68th anniversary and inaugurating Tangkit Baru Agritourism Village in Muarojambi District.
The minister plans on staying in the village to join a pineapple-harvesting activity and hand out assistance.
