Transmigration Ministry to synergise support for Katingan economic development
The Ministry of Transmigration (Kementrans) is committed to synergising support for the development of various economic potentials in Katingan Regency, Central Kalimantan, ranging from plantations and agriculture to fisheries.
Deputy Regent of Katingan Firdaus met with Deputy Minister of Transmigration Viva Yoga Mauladi in Jakarta on Friday morning to present the region’s economic potential and the challenges faced by local business operators.
Katingan Regency possesses potential in oil palm and rubber plantations, as well as rice farming, supported by a rice milling facility with a capacity of up to 1.5 tonnes per hour, along with cold storage and an ice factory for the fisheries industry.
However, the area lacks adequate supporting infrastructure. Village roads, main roads, and bridges often become muddy and impassable during rain, and the condition of the ferry port is also substandard.
Viva stated that his ministry is forging various collaborations with other ministries, state-owned enterprises, and national and foreign private companies to develop transmigration areas.
Regarding the development of agricultural and fisheries infrastructure, he said the ministry would synergise with the Ministry of Public Works, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries.
“We can even cooperate with the government and companies from China,” he said, as quoted from an official statement received in Denpasar, Bali, on Friday evening.
As for the improvement of roads, bridges, and port facilities in Katingan, Viva noted that this would be coordinated with the relevant ministries.
“Although there is no transmigration area in Katingan yet, we will coordinate the existing aspirations with the relevant ministries. We support all development for the people’s welfare,” he said.
He mentioned that there are currently transmigration settlement units (SP) in Katingan located on Pulau Malan, Pulau Tewang Beringin, and Hyang Bana SP-1.
“Transmigrant placements occurred in 2007 and also in 2011/2012. In these two settlement units, there are 950 families,” he added.
Several areas that have developed into transmigration zones in Central Kalimantan include Belantikan Raya (Lamandau Regency), Jelai (Sukamara Regency), Lamunti and Dadahup (Kapuas Regency), Tumbang Jutuh (Gunung Mas Regency), and Arut Selatan and Kotawaringin Lama (West Kotawaringin Regency).