Ministry of Villages: TEKAD Programme Boosts Economic Standards in 1,110 Villages
The Ministry of Villages and Disadvantaged Regions (Kemendes PDT) assesses that the Integrated Village Economic Transformation (TEKAD) programme has proven to provide tangible benefits in improving the economic standards of residents in 1,110 villages across 25 regencies and 9 provinces.
The Minister of Villages and Disadvantaged Regions, Yandri Susanto, stated in Jakarta on Tuesday that the programme is focused on areas requiring special affirmation, using an empowerment approach tailored to the unique potential of each village. “The TEKAD programme empowers communities in villages with an approach suited to their respective potentials. The goal is to raise the economic standard of people in TEKAD loci while simultaneously narrowing the gap between eastern and western Indonesia,” said Yordri.
Through TEKAD, the government is also creating thematic villages to support the national Free Nutritious Meal programme, such as the establishment of Fruit Villages, Layer Chicken Villages, and Tilapia Fish Villages. Furthermore, villages possessing superior commodities such as candlenut, coffee, and vanilla are being encouraged to join the ministry’s priority programme as Export Villages.
Observing the positive impact directly felt by villagers, Yandri plans to request the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to continue this collaborative programme to ensure it continues to target villages with significant potential that have not yet been maximally managed.
For the 2026 fiscal year, the TEKAD implementation strategy includes close assistance by Professional Assistance Personnel from the village to the regency level. The government is also distributing stimulant aid in the form of demonstration plots (demplot), Village Technological Innovation Houses (RITD), and Investment Funds. “In addition to stimulant aid and assistance, this year we are also prioritising capacity building programmes and the expansion of inter-sectoral cooperation,” he added, accompanied by IFAD Country Programme Officer Yumi Sakata.