"Siti Hawa Lari" Strategy Emerges as Solution to Reduce Poverty and Stunting in South Kalimantan
South Kalimantan Governor Muhidin presented an integrated approach as a concrete solution to curb poverty and stunting rates in his region. This was stated during his speech at the National Development Orchestration Forum in Balikpapan on Tuesday, 5 May 2026. The forum is part of the 2026 Appreciation for High-Achieving Regional Governments organised by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Muhidin noted that poverty reduction achievements in South Kalimantan show a positive trend. In 2024, the poverty rate stood at 4.02%, dropping to 3.73% in 2025, which is lower than the national average.
Nevertheless, he acknowledged that some areas still have relatively high poverty rates, such as Banjar Regency and North Hulu Sungai Regency. As a solution, the South Kalimantan Provincial Government has developed a flagship programme based on local potential, namely the Integrated Duck Livestock System on Swamp and Dry Land (Siti Hawa Lari).
This programme combines the livestock and agriculture sectors by utilising the characteristics of South Kalimantan’s swamp and dry lands. “We are promoting this programme to regencies and cities to provide duck rearing assistance to the community. The results have been quite significant in increasing residents’ income,” said Muhidin.
In addition to focusing on the economy, the government is also intervening in the health sector to reduce stunting rates. Records show that stunting in South Kalimantan decreased from 24.7% in 2023 to 22.9% in 2024.
These efforts are carried out through strengthening the Healthy Living Community Movement for Healthy, Intelligent, Creative, and Morally Upright Adolescents (Germas Ceria) programme, implemented in school environments to build clean and healthy habits from an early age.
Additionally, there is the Loyalty Acceleration Movement for Surveillance and Immunisation Performance (Galaksi) programme, which aims to improve health service quality by providing appreciation to immunisation officers and health data collection.
According to him, the “jemput bola” or proactive approach is the key to success. Health workers go directly to the field to collect data, provide vitamins, and administer immunisations to pregnant women, toddlers, and prospective brides.
Budget support is also allocated through agencies such as the Health Office and other regional apparatus. Not only that, comprehensive solutions also target other supporting factors, such as providing clean water through the construction of Drinking Water Supply Systems (SPAM), improving uninhabitable houses, and preventing child marriage through relevant agencies.
In the economic sector, the provincial government is strengthening community empowerment through superior rice seed assistance, MSME training, and access to capital. One optimised instrument is the People’s Business Credit (KUR) channelled through regional banks with guarantees from guarantee institutions.
Muhidin stated that cross-sectoral synergy is the key to resolving poverty and stunting issues.
Looking ahead, the government will focus interventions on areas with high poverty rates, such as North Hulu Sungai, through strengthened financing access and development of the Siti Hawa Lari programme. “The principle is that we remain open to input and ready to be present directly among the people to ensure this programme hits the right targets,” he said.
Meanwhile, at the same forum, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Bima Arya emphasised the importance of the statecraft concept or government governance in facing the current complexities of regional challenges. According to him, statecraft demands that regional heads be able to work effectively, quickly, and reliably in managing government and responding to various challenges.
Statecraft, said Bima, is a concept emphasised by President Prabowo Subianto as a new approach in government governance. “The President emphasises that leaders must be competent, skilled, and intelligent. Intelligence alone is not enough,” he said.
Bima hopes that the National Development Orchestration Forum can produce concrete steps to strengthen central-regional synergy, especially in Kalimantan, which is becoming a strategic region with the development of the Archipelago Capital (IKN). “The target is that from this forum, there are agendas that can be directly implemented into real actions,” he said.