Transmigration Minister: Business Development in Transmigration Areas Must Be Market-Oriented

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Transmigration Minister M. Iftitah Sulaiman Suryanagara said business development in transmigration areas should be market-oriented and aim to increase residents’ incomes.

“Do not look only at what can be produced, but also at who will buy it and how the product can increase people’s incomes,” Minister Iftitah said in a statement in Jakarta on Sunday.

He said one step in line with this approach was for farmers in the Batu Betumpang Transmigration Area, South Bangka Regency, Bangka Belitung Islands, to seek new market opportunities.

The IPB University Patriot Expedition Team 1 (TEP) is exploring a partnership to supply vegetables to the Pulau Besar Nutrition Fulfilment Service Unit (SPPG), giving local farmers a more certain potential market for their produce.

Working with 18 lead farmers, the team harvested 107 kilogrammes of vegetables, including pak choi, lettuce, spinach and water spinach.

TEP IPB University head Suprehatin said farmers needed to understand market requirements, from the types and quality of vegetables to the quantities needed and delivery schedules.

For this reason, the mentoring programme teaches not only cultivation methods but also how to sort produce, grade it by quality and package the harvest.

Uncertain market access and prices have long posed challenges for farmers. TEP’s support gives them the opportunity to learn how to prepare their harvest to meet buyers’ requirements.

Through the Trans-Organik programme, TEP IPB University hopes Batu Betumpang farmers will be able to expand their markets, improve vegetable quality and develop agricultural businesses that deliver sustainable economic benefits.

“Communication with the SPPG and local traders gives us hope for developing our horticultural businesses,” said Ayik Sofyan, a lead farmer from Sumber Jaya Permai village.