Tompobulu BRILiaN Village: Synergy of Local Potential and Digitalisation Drives Sustainable Economy

Located at an altitude of around 800 metres above sea level, Tompobulu Village in Balocci Subdistrict, Pangkajene and the Islands Regency, South Sulawesi Province, continues to demonstrate positive transformation. The village has successfully optimised its natural, cultural, and local wisdom potentials as sources of community economic growth. The majority of Tompobulu’s residents work as farmers. However, the village also boasts a wealth of traditional cuisine. Among them is saraba daun kelor, made from ginger and moringa leaves, which is now gaining wider recognition and development. Over time, this potential has not only become a local identity but has also evolved into part of the community’s economic activities. At the same time, the tourism sector is beginning to grow as a new driving force believed to strengthen the village’s economic structure in the future. This development aligns with various achievements attained by Tompobulu Village in recent years. The village has secured national and regional accolades, including winning the national Award for Indonesian Tourism Villages (ADWI), receiving recognition in the Ministry of Villages’ Tourism Village Competition, and being nominated as one of the best villages in the Desa BRILiaN programme. Tompobulu Village Head Abdul Kadir Hakim stated that these achievements serve as a boost for the community to continue developing the village’s potential sustainably. “These accomplishments are a source of pride for us and a motivation to keep developing the village’s potential,” he said. This strengthening has been further optimised by the presence of the Desa BRILiaN programme. The community’s proximity to BRI services has become a supporting factor, given that most residents are MSME actors and recipients of People’s Business Credit (KUR). Through this programme, BRI provides ongoing assistance encompassing village economic strengthening, financial service digitalisation, and enhancement of local potential management capacity. In line with that, the village’s tourism potential continues to be developed in an integrated manner. Tompobulu Village features several attractions scattered both within and outside the Bantimurung-Bulusaraung National Park area, including Puncak Pendagang Bulu Sarang in Bulu-Bulu Hamlet at an elevation of 1,353 metres above sea level, which is one of the flagship draws. The growth of the tourism sector has also positively impacted the development of MSMEs based on local wisdom. Products like saraba daun kelor are now marketed to various regions through an expanding distribution network. On the other hand, aren sugar businesses continue to maintain traditional production processes based on mutual cooperation, which not only preserves product quality but also reinforces social values in the community. The role of village institutions is also a key factor in sustaining economic growth. The Village-Owned Enterprise (BUMDes) continues to develop various business units that support community needs, from village Wi-Fi services and gallon water depots to other productive ventures. The presence of BUMDes is expected to serve as an economic driver while contributing to increased Original Village Income. All these efforts are reinforced by support from the banking sector. BRI is present through the provision of inclusive and integrated financial access, including KUR distribution, strengthening of AgenBRILink connected to BUMDes, implementation of QRIS-based digital payments, and utilisation of the BRImo application to facilitate community transactions. BRI Micro Director Akhmad Purwakajaya stated that the Desa BRILiaN programme is part of BRI’s commitment to driving sustainable and inclusive village economic growth. Desa BRILiaN is designed as a village empowerment programme based on four main pillars: strengthening village institutions such as BUMDes and cooperatives, financial service digitalisation, sustainable economic development, and village innovation. “Through this programme, BRI encourages village communities to continue innovating and creating solutions to the various challenges they face,” Akhmad explained in a statement quoted on Sunday (29/3/2026). Akhmad added that to date, more than 5,200 villages across Indonesia have joined the Desa BRILiaN programme and continue to receive ongoing assistance. “BRI will continue to strengthen its role as a strategic partner in village development, so that local potentials can develop optimally and provide tangible impacts on improving community welfare,” he concluded. With the synergy of local potential, institutional strengthening, and sustainable support from BRI, Tompobulu Village is now growing as an adaptive, innovative, and competitive tourism village, serving as a real example of village economic transformation in Indonesia.