Kemendes-PD and ID SEED Collaborate to Maximise Exports of Downstream Village Products

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Villages and Underdeveloped Regions (Kemendes PD) and Indonesia Diaspora SME Export Empowerment & Development (ID SEED) are preparing to collaborate to maximise the export of village products resulting from downstream processing. “This is downstream processing because we are exporting finished forms like spices rather than raw materials anymore. We need to make it concrete in terms of price, quantity, delivery timeframe, and so on. So, the community will no longer sell in bulk, but through downstream processing to add value,” said the Minister of Villages and Underdeveloped Regions (Mendes), Yandri Susanto, during an audience with ID SEED at the Kemendes PD office in Jakarta on Tuesday. He further explained that these village products include primary ingredients such as pepper, chillies, shallots, lemongrass, and bananas, which are processed into finished products in forms like spices, jams, processed foods, and the like. To realise this, both parties will engage Village-Owned Enterprises (BUMDes) with relevant potential. It is known that exporting village products is one of the 12 strategic action plans formulated by Kemendes PD. He also stated that the diverse natural wealth in villages, if managed maximally, can drive downstream processing and enhance national economic growth. Therefore, he continued, the quality of village products must be ensured to be good, with sufficient quantity to meet market needs. “This assistance will later involve BRIN to support quality and standards. Also, deploy village facilitators to guide thematic villages. So, when contracting, the facilitators will oversee it,” said Minister Yandri. To realise this plan, the signing of an MoU will be conducted in villages producing the required products. Thus, the collaboration will be legally strong and conceptually aligned with data and needs.