South Sumatra Provincial Government Urges GSMP to Evolve into an Empowerment Movement
The Deputy Governor of South Sumatra, Cik Ujang, is encouraging the South Sumatra Independent Food Movement (GSMP) to continue evolving from a assistance programme into a community empowerment movement capable of creating food independence while providing economic value to the people.
GSMP is a programme initiated and implemented by the South Sumatra Provincial Government under the leadership of Governor Herman Deru and Deputy Governor Cik Ujang. Running since 2021, the programme is continuously directed towards strengthening food security while increasing productivity and community welfare.
This was stated by Cik Ujang while attending the ‘Ngopi Bareng GSMP’ (GSMP Coffee Morning) event at the Bank Indonesia Representative Office for South Sumatra Province, Palembang, on Monday (14/09/2026).
Cik Ujang noted that discussion forums presented in a relaxed atmosphere, such as the GSMP Coffee Morning, serve as an important medium to discuss development more openly and closely with the community.
“Coffee mornings are indeed very popular with the public because development does not always have to occur in a formal and official atmosphere, but can be achieved through more relaxed forums,” said Cik Ujang in a written statement on Wednesday (16/09/2026).
In his view, GSMP must not stop being merely an aid programme. The movement must continue to be developed so that the community becomes more productive and capable of meeting food needs independently.
“GSMP aims to make the community more productive. GSMP must be continuously pushed to move up a level so that the community can meet food needs independently. The community should not just be beneficiaries, but active participants. GSMP must be able to provide economic value for the people,” he said.
Cik Ujang emphasised that the future spirit of GSMP must be directed towards community empowerment. He believes that in doing so, the community will not only receive aid or facilities but will be able to manage their existing food potential to generate economic benefits.
During the event, Cik Ujang also inaugurated the GSMP Synergy Partnership Forum and the GSMP Guides. This inauguration is expected to further strengthen coordination and synergy between the government, the community, and all parties involved in the implementation of GSMP.
“This inauguration is so that we can coordinate and synergise with all parties,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Regional Secretary of South Sumatra Province, Edward Candra, reported that the implementation of GSMP has contributed to poverty alleviation efforts in South Sumatra.
He noted that the poverty rate in South Sumatra was 9.85 per cent in September 2025, which then decreased to 9.50 per cent in March 2026.
“The contribution of the food component to the poverty line reached 75.26 per cent. This means that food security strengthening has a significant impact,” said Edward.
Additionally, Edward stated that the Expected Food Pattern Score (PPH) continues to increase, indicating an improvement in the quality of food consumption among the community.
Nevertheless, he acknowledged that several challenges remain in the development of GSMP, including coordination, mentoring, target data, monitoring, partnerships, and downstreaming. Therefore, strengthening GSMP in the future cannot be achieved solely through increased aid, but also requires a comprehensive systemic overhaul.
GSMP is expected to grow stronger as a flagship programme of the South Sumatra Provincial Government. It is intended to evolve from a government programme into a collective movement capable of increasing community productivity, creating economic value, and realising food independence for every family in South Sumatra.
“What we need is a systemic improvement, starting from governance, strengthening the GSMP Guides, GSMP Synergy, and the development of GSMP target data based on DTSEN,” he concluded.