"I am optimistic that with the right choices and implementation, reducing poverty and unemployment rates can be maximized from villages," he said in South Tangerang, Banten, on Thursday.
According to the minister, the contribution of villages can be realized through efforts to enhance the potential of rural human resources and natural resource quality.
This, he said, is one of the instruments to boost the economic growth of the community.
"President Prabowo's economic growth target of up to 8 percent can be driven by villages," the minister added.
To achieve the economic growth goal, he urged all parties, such as universities, students, and the private sector, to participate in village development.
He also reminded all parties to play an active role in empowering villages. This is deemed necessary to prevent high urbanization, as seen in Japan and South Korea.
"This should not occur in Indonesia because it will harm the country," he explained.
To anticipate this, he said, the potential and opportunities for increasing village development, such as from the tourism sector and agribusinesses, must continue to be increased to build the strength of the village economy.
"Like food self-sufficiency, energy, and even the ingredients for nutritious meals (program) are in villages. Thus, (people's) income in villages must not be inferior (compared) to in cities; it can reach Rp10 million (around US$627) to Rp12 million (around US$753) per month," he added.
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Translator: Azmi Syamsul, Raka Adji
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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