BRILiaN Ketapanrame Village: Evidence that Local Potential-Based Empowerment Can Create Advanced and Sustainable Village Economies

Ketapanrame Village, located in the Trawas District of Mojokerto Regency, East Java, demonstrates how local potential can be processed into a source of sustainable economic growth. Equipped with a tourism sector, flagship community products, and integrated village business management, this village has evolved into a prime example of successful empowerment based on local potential.

This developmental journey has accelerated since Ketapanrame Village joined the BRILiaN Village Programme, initiated by PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk in 2021. This village incubation programme encourages the emergence of superior villages through the strengthening of leadership, governance, innovation, collaboration, and digitalisation.

A tangible manifestation of this transformation is seen in the Sumber Gempong Rice Field Tourism, built in 2021 as an expansion of the Taman Ghanjaran area on village-owned land. Its creation resulted from the synergy of various parties through the utilisation of Village Original Income (PADes), Village Funds, and community investment.

Featuring panoramic terraced rice fields and natural springs, this area serves not only as a tourist attraction but also opens business opportunities for local residents. As it develops, Sumber Gempong has become a flagship destination that strengthens Ketapanrame’s identity as a tourism village.

In addition to Sumber Gempong, Ketapanrame Village has developed several other destinations, including Taman Ghanjaran, Dlundung Waterfall, Dlundung Camping Ground, Ka’bah religious tourism, and culinary tourism areas, all of which support local economic activities.

These economic activities run alongside the role of the Village-Owned Enterprise (BUMDes), which manages five strategic business units, ranging from village drinking water management, kiosks, and livestock pens, to village tourism, environmental cleanliness, and capital and partnership services.

The economic potential of Ketapanme is also reflected in various flagship products based on local commodities. Farmer groups and MSME actors process Arabica and Robusta coffee into various value-added products, including coffee cookies and cascara.

Local residents have also developed various derivative products from Nagami oranges, including jams, syrups, puddings, and cookies, which complement the village’s unique culinary offerings and contribute to local economic activity.

A commitment to sustainability is realised through the management of the Mutiara Welirang TPS3R (a waste processing facility based on the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle principle), which focuses on community waste management and sorting. To date, this unit has partnered with 1,571 consumers and serves as a vital component in supporting a circular economy while maintaining the village’s environmental quality.