"We are targeting economic improvement from the TEKAD program, both at the household scale and at the enterprise level, such as village-owned enterprises," he said here on Monday.
Susanto said the TEKAD program, which was initiated in 2020, has been assessed as capable of boosting the economy of eastern Indonesia, thereby gradually narrowing regional disparities.
One of the near-term targets is increasing the production of Bajawa coffee in Ngada, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), which is planned for export.
He said the government plans to raise Bajawa coffee exports to the international market in significant volumes, from five tons to 10 tons.
In detail, he explained that the provinces targeted under the TEKAD program are East Nusa Tenggara, Maluku, North Maluku, Papua, West Papua, Southwest Papua, South Papua, Highland Papua, and Central Papua.
Villages in the nine targeted provinces will be developed based on their respective potential, both in tourism and agricultural products.
According to him, tourism and local agricultural outputs in each village determine the direction of economic growth in efforts to improve community welfare.
"The main point is that we do not standardize all villages into a single product. Instead, we prioritize each village's potential as its competitive advantage," he said.
In developing the regions, the ministry collaborates with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), supported by TEKAD facilitators and local communities.
Various forms of assistance have been distributed, including demonstration plots in 366 targeted villages, each valued at Rp100 million, as well as village technology innovation houses at 50 village-owned enterprises worth Rp20 billion.
In addition, investment funds and training programs have been provided to 18 village-owned enterprises, with each receiving Rp350 million.
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Translator: Astrid, Kenzu
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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