IPB Patriot Team Explores Leading Economic Potential in Three Subdistricts of the Mesuji Transmigration Area
A warm atmosphere prevailed during the discussion between the IPB University Patriot Expedition Team and residents in the Mesuji Transmigration Area. The team sat down with village Chiefs and representatives of farmer groups from 38 villages to share their views on the development of leading commodities in the transmigration area.
The discussion was part of a series of focus group discussions (FGD) held in three subdistricts, namely Mesuji, East Mesuji, and North Rawa Jitu. The team, led by Dr Supriyanto, consisted of Nur Dini Ya’ti, SHut, Inti Putri Madinah, ST, Fajar Ilham Pratama, and Muhammad Najril Fadhilah.
Also present at the FGD were the Chief of the Mesuji Regency Manpower and Transmigration Office, Andi Subrastono, SSos; the Chief of the Agriculture Office, Samsi Hermansah, SHut; and the subdistrict Chiefs from the three areas where the activities are located.
Prior to the FGD, the team conducted field surveys and interviews in 38 villages over a period of one and a half months. They traced the supply chain from upstream to downstream, mapping cultivation techniques, opportunities, and obstacles faced by farmers.
From these findings, rice, palm oil, and rubber emerged as the main commodities of the community. Other potentials such as capture fisheries, aquaculture, vegetables, and coconuts are also beginning to develop.
The team noted that this potential could be optimized with improvements to farm roads, normalization of water channels, price certainty, security of production, and fair access to capital. The findings were then presented in a focus group discussion (FGD) for validation and discussion with village officials.
This was in line with what the Chief of Sungai Sidang Village said. He said, “Our village is located near a river, so we have a lot of potential. One of them is rice cultivation and capture fisheries.”
“However, the results are not optimal when salt water rises to the surface during the dry season, and when the rainy season causes flooding. Hopefully, the water system or irrigation will be improved and canals will be dug directly to the large river,” he said.
The Chief of the Mesuji Manpower and Transmigration Office, Andi Subrastono, also expressed his appreciation for the initiative of the IPB University team. “The presence of the Patriot Expedition Team brings a new dimension to the development of the transmigration area. We hope that the results of this study can be translated into real programs that have a direct impact on the community,” he said.
The Regent of Mesuji, Hj Elfianah, SE, also fully supports this activity. She emphasized the importance of collaboration between local governments, universities, and communities to accelerate the development of competitive and sustainable transmigration areas.
After a series of FGDs, the collected data will be processed as the basis for compiling recommendations for specific commodity designs for the area in accordance with the terms of reference from the Ministry of Transmigration.
“Dialogue continued throughout the FGD. We hope nothing escapes our observation,” said one member of the IPB University Patriot Expedition Team. (IAAS/Ard)
