IPB University Patriot Expedition Team Outlines Plan to Develop Leading Commodity Potential in South Kikim
The IPB University Patriot Expedition Team held a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on Developing Leading Commodity Potential in the South Kikim Transmigration Area. This activity was held at the Keban Agung Village Hall, South Kikim District, Lahat Regency, South Sumatra.
The FGD was attended by representatives from the Lahat Regency Transmigration Office, South Kikim Subdistrict Agricultural Extension Officers (PPL), village chief, and representatives of transmigrants in the South Kikim Transmigration Area (Integrated Independent Cities/KTM based in Keban Agung Village, Keban Raya Village, and Beringin Janggut Village).
The activity began with a presentation of the results of a one-month field visit by the IPB University Patriot Expedition Team to the transmigration area. The team reported on the potential and obstacles faced by the transmigration communities in the three villages, as well as the leading commodities in the transmigration area, namely palm oil and rubber.
Dr Akhmad Arifin Hadi, as the team leader, explained that this activity aimed to explore the potential of leading local commodities and formulate development strategies in a participatory manner with the community. “We want the results of this FGD to be the basis for designing a strategy for developing leading commodities that are in line with the characteristics of the region and the needs of the local community,” he said.
The FGD also served as a forum for validating and confirming the team’s field findings. During the forum, residents agreed on the identification of leading commodities in the transmigration area, while also adding various potentials and obstacles they face in the field.
Representatives of Keban Raya Village hoped for regular meetings with local PPL to optimize the newly formed farmer groups. Meanwhile, KTM representatives highlighted the unresolved issue of business land certificates and farmers’ limited access to subsidized fertilizers.
Representatives from Beringin Janggut Village also emphasized the importance of forming active farmer groups as a prerequisite for obtaining government assistance and guidance. “We really hope that there will be guidance for farmer groups so that farmers can be more independent,” said one of the participants.
In response, the South Kikim Subdistrict PPL agreed to facilitate and explained that the formation of new farmer groups could be facilitated through coordination with the village head, with a minimum of 15 members and commodities that could be developed including palm oil, rubber, and cattle. “In 2026, there will be a program to provide liquid NPK fertilizer assistance to farmer groups that actively report their land coordinates,” said a representative of the South Kikim PPL.
Through this activity, the IPB University Patriot Expedition Team hopes to strengthen synergy between local governments, extension workers, and communities in promoting economic development based on local potential in the Kikim Selatan transmigration area. (*/Rz) (IAAS/KDP)
