The Indonesian government plans to send around 2,000 academics and university students to transmigration areas in August to assess their potential for developing globally competitive export commodities.
Transmigration Minister Muhammad Iftitah Sulaiman Suryanagara said on Thursday that the participants will carry out in-depth research to identify sustainable economic opportunities in local communities.
He explained that the initiative is aimed at promoting inclusive economic growth by developing high-value commodities in transmigration areas for international export.
As an example, Suryanagara cited a transmigration area in Parigi Moutong, Central Sulawesi, which shows strong potential for durian cultivation — a commodity in high demand in China.
He noted that China's annual durian imports are worth approximately US$7 billion, making the Indonesia–China durian trade particularly promising.
He also pointed to the transmigration area in Mamuju, West Sulawesi, where residents initially grew coffee, but later switched to rubber due to pest problems. However, rubber production was also unproductive.
Following further research and mentoring, the land was found to be more suitable for oil palm cultivation. Currently, transmigrants in Mamuju are earning nearly Rp20 million (US$1,188) per month on average from oil palm farming.
Through academic collaboration and targeted research, the government hopes to transform transmigration zones into new hubs for export-oriented agriculture, which could generate employment and significantly boost local incomes, Suryanagara said.
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Translator: Muhammad Harianto, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Anton Santoso
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