Transmigration strengthens unity, food security: Govt

Gresik, East Java (ANTARA) - Deputy Minister of Transmigration Viva Yoga Mauladi emphasized that the transmigration program helps strengthen national integrity, alleviate poverty, support food self-sufficiency, and create new centers of economic growth in various regions.

According to Viva Yoga, the program is in line with President Prabowo Subianto's mandate for the Ministry of Transmigration to support national development through four interrelated objectives.

"President Prabowo's directive outlines four reasons for the re-establishment of the Ministry of Transmigration," Mauladi stated on Monday (June 29).

The first objective, says Viva Yoga, is to maintain the integrity of the unitary state of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI) by relocating people from various ethnic, cultural, and regional backgrounds, thereby strengthening national unity.

He noted that acculturation and cultural assimilation in transmigration areas have strengthened the sense of nationalism among Indonesians across regions and cultures.

The second objective is to alleviate poverty by providing land to transmigrants as part of agrarian reform to support their livelihoods and productive economic activities.

The land is used for housing, yards, and businesses, thus providing opportunities for the communities to improve their economic welfare in a sustainable manner, Mauladi remarked.

The third objective is to strengthen national food self-sufficiency, as several transmigration areas have developed into national rice production centers.

According to him, the Telang transmigration area in Banyuasin District, South Sumatra, is one example of a successful rice production center.

The fourth objective is to create new centers of economic growth through the development of economic and social activities in previously remote areas.

Mauladi views that the presence of communities in transmigration areas encourages economic activity, allowing previously quiet areas to develop into new growth centers.

He emphasized that the four objectives serve as an important foundation for strengthening the transmigration program in support of inclusive, equitable, and sustainable national development.

On Monday (June 29), the Deputy Minister released the export of 16 tons of blue swimming crab worth Rp15 billion (around US$817 thousand) destined for the United States (US).

The shipment is part of efforts to encourage flagship products from transmigration areas to enter the global market.

Viva Yoga explained that the exported blue swimming crabs came from several transmigration areas, including Sorong in Papua; Pasangkayu in West Sulawesi; Maluku; North Maluku; and the northern coastal areas of Gresik and Lamongan in East Java, through collaboration with the Gresik District Government and the private export company PT Aruna.

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Translator: Muhammad Harianto, Resinta Sulistiyandari

Editor: Bayu Prasetyo

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