Indonesia, World Bank prepare green economy program for villages

Banyumas, Central Java (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s Ministry of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions is partnering with the World Bank to explore the implementation of the Integrated Green Economy and Food Self-Sufficiency (Sehati) program in Banyumas District, Central Java.

Representatives from both institutions advanced preparations through a discussion with Banyumas government leaders and visits to several villages across the district.

Rio Pongdapati, the ministry’s head of procurement services, said after the meeting in Banyumas on Tuesday that the agenda in Banyumas was part of steps toward implementing the national program, scheduled from 2027 to 2031.

He said his team plans to collect data on village institutions, including their financial management and procurement mechanisms, to serve as the basis for the program.

“The program, supported by around US$600 million in funding, will also classify beneficiary villages based on institutional quality, financial management, and readiness for implementation,” Rio remarked.

World Bank Sehati Program Team Coordinator Nur Hidayat explained that the self-sufficiency initiative is intended to support Indonesia’s priorities, particularly efforts to drive economic growth from the village level despite limited fiscal capacity.

He further noted that the World Bank designed Sehati as a program focused on food security, development of the green economy, and rural community empowerment alongside the Villages Ministry, the Finance Ministry, the Home Affairs Ministry, and the National Development Planning Ministry.

Hidayat added that the program would commence in 2027 following this year’s planning phase, aiming to cover around 7,000 developing and developed villages selected through proposal submissions.

During Tuesday's audience, Banyumas officials received a comprehensive briefing on Sehati, described as a program integrating productive infrastructure development, the strengthening of rural economies, and community capacity building.

Banyumas District Head Sadewo Tri Lastiono said around 20 villages in the district are expected to benefit from the program through annual incentives of Rp500 million (around US$28,000), training activities, and infrastructure support.

Related news: Rural Indonesia as the new growth frontier amid global uncertainty

Related news: Indonesia plans 5,000 export villages to boost rural economies

Translator: Sumarwoto, Tegar Nurfitra

Editor: Primayanti

Copyright © ANTARA 2026