Empowering Porang Farmers in NTB, Ministry of Social Affairs Collaborates with Multiple Parties
The Republic of Indonesia’s Ministry of Social Affairs is strengthening cross-sector collaboration through the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Mataram University and PT Sanindo Pangan Rinjani to expand the porang farmer empowerment programme in West Nusa Tenggara Province (NTB), today.
This collaboration involves government, higher education, and the business world in an integrated empowerment ecosystem. The partnership covers the entire process, from production and mentoring to marketing the harvest.
Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf (Gus Ipul) explained that the programme is designed with clear role divisions among the parties.
“Seeds from the Ministry of Social Affairs, training from company CSR, mentoring from the university, monitoring and evaluation from local government, and the company as the off-taker,” he stated in a written remark on Thursday (16/4/2026).
Gus Ipul added that this project serves as an initial model (pilot project) that will be further developed if it shows positive results.
“If this succeeds later, the Governor will expand and duplicate it in several locations. This is like an initial trial stage,” Gus Ipul clarified.
In this collaboration, Gus Ipul emphasised that marketing aspects are a primary focus in every empowerment programme.
Before empowerment, the parties consider the buyers of the produce. This is because the presence of buyers is crucial to maintaining price stability and protecting farmers.
“The buyers must be secured so that prices remain stable and farmers are not disadvantaged at harvest time. Moreover, porang requires 3 to 4 years before it can be harvested,” he said.
Gus Ipul revealed that his side is also opening opportunities for broader private sector involvement in the future.
Meanwhile, Rector of Mataram University Sukardi affirmed the university’s readiness to actively participate in the community empowerment programme.
“The university cannot remain in an ivory tower. We must be present among the people, addressing issues of poverty and social inequality,” he stated.
Mataram University is prepared to deploy academic resources to support the programme, such as lecturers and academic staff ready to provide direct mentoring in the community.
For information, the event also involved the signing of two memorandums of understanding:
MoU between the Ministry of Social Affairs, Mataram University, and PT Sanindo Pangan Rinjani on the implementation of social empowerment.
MoU between the Ministry of Social Affairs and Mataram University on synergy in organising social welfare within the Tri Dharma of Higher Education.
Gus Ipul also handed over porang seeds to beneficiary families (KPM) as well as symbolic assistance to support the development of the empowerment programme in the area.
Through this collaboration, the government hopes that empowerment will not only increase farmers’ incomes but also create a sustainable economic ecosystem capable of breaking the chain of poverty.