IPB University Deploys 20 Patriot Expedition Teams in Merauke, Initiates Collaboration for Blue Economy Optimization
IPB University initiated the implementation of the Patriot Expedition in the Salor Transmigration Area, Merauke Regency, South Papua. The arrival of the Patriot Expedition Team (TEP) was warmly welcomed by the Merauke Regency Government.
Representing the Merauke Regent, Expert Staff for Economic and Development Affairs, Benny, SPd, MPd, hopes that this program will be able to create excellent economic area development through collaboration among various parties.
“We welcome the presence of the Patriot Expedition Team. I hope the participants can build humanistic relationships with indigenous communities. This program should not only be a short-term activity, but should be able to create excellent economic area development through collaboration among all parties,” he said.
Leader of the Patriot Expedition Team and representative of the Institute for Agromaritime Development and Innopreneurship Acceleration (LPA2I) IPB University, Dr Roza Yusfiandayani, explained that in 2026 IPB will send 25 teams, consisting of 20 teams in the Salor Transmigration Area, Merauke, as well as five teams divided among Aceh, West Sumatra, Batam, and Bangka Belitung.
“Each team consists of a leader and five alumni from IPB University and partner universities. Each team is led by a lecturer with the title of professor and doctor who has innovation and competence in the fields of agriculture, fisheries, animal husbandry, and socio-economics.
Dr Roza also conveyed that each team on duty has a different study focus, covering the sectors of agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries, and human resource development.
“A total of 20 teams will work according to their respective fields to produce recommendations that can support the development of the economic area in Salor, Merauke,” she said.
Collaboration Blue Economy
One of the implementations of the IPB University Patriot Expedition in Salor is collaboration with Musamus University Merauke for the program “Design of Upstream Downstream Optimization of Capture Fisheries Based on Blue Economy” in Malind District.
This program is designed to optimize the potential of capture fisheries through an upstream to downstream approach, with a focus on community empowerment, strengthening supporting infrastructure, increasing human resource capacity, and developing sustainable innovation.
According to Dr Roza, the Salor Transmigration Area has great fisheries potential, but still faces challenges in strengthening the value chain, managing catches, market access, and utilizing technology. Therefore, the blue economy approach was chosen to encourage productive, efficient, and sustainable fisheries resource management.
“Collaboration with Musamus University is a strategic step to bring capture fisheries innovations based on the blue economy that provide real benefits for the community in the Salor Transmigration Area,” said Dr Roza.
Through collaboration among the local government, higher education institutions, and the community, the Patriot Expedition Team is expected to produce applicable and sustainable recommendations to strengthen the development of the transmigration area as a new center of economic growth in Merauke Regency. (*/Rz) (IAAS/ FKH)
