Transmigration Areas Prepared as New Economic Centres, Says Deputy Minister

Deputy Minister of Transmigration Viva Yoga Mauladi has stated that transmigration areas are being prepared to become new centres of economic growth through the strengthening of village development based on science and innovation. Speaking during a simultaneous briefing for the 2026 Patriot Expedition Team in Bogor City, West Java, on Sunday, he explained that the effort is being carried out by deploying the teams to various transmigration areas to assist in developing the regions’ leading potential. “This is part of the derivative of President Prabowo’s Asta Cita. We are building from the bottom, from the villages, to prosper the community and create new economic growth in transmigration areas,” he said. He explained that the Patriot Expedition Team participants are expected to interact with the community and bring innovations that can increase productivity and the added value of local potential in transmigration areas. “We want these villages to become economic and cultural centres. We deploy the Patriot Expedition Team so they can interact with the community and provide the innovation, creativity, and new perspectives that the local community needs,” he stated. According to Viva Yoga, the development of transmigration areas not only aims to improve community welfare but also to open new growth centres in previously isolated and unproductive regions. He noted that the movement of people to transmigration areas has spurred economic, social, and cultural activities, developing into villages, sub-districts, regencies, and even provinces. “The transmigration programme has given birth to 1,567 definitive villages, 466 sub-districts, 116 regencies/cities, and three provincial capitals,” he said. Viva Yoga added that one example of successful transmigration area development is Telang in Musi Banyuasin Regency, South Sumatra, which in 2025 became the area with the highest rice production nationally. According to him, this success demonstrates that transmigration areas have great potential to become engines of economic growth if supported by innovation, research, and collaboration with various stakeholders.