Transmigration Transformation: Minister Iftitah Studies China’s Rural Industrialisation Model

Transmigration Minister Muhammad Iftitah Sulaiman Suryanagara is undertaking a working visit to China from 12 to 18 October 2026.

The visit aims to strengthen cooperation in modern agricultural development, industrialisation, downstream processing and the development of new centres of economic growth in Indonesia’s transmigration areas.

During his stay in China, at the invitation of the host government, Iftitah is scheduled to take part in a series of key engagements. These include a bilateral meeting at China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) on Monday (12 October 2026), delivering a public lecture at Peking University in Beijing, and visiting industrial and research facilities in Chongqing, Hangzhou, Zhejiang and Shanghai.

The visit forms part of the implementation of President Prabowo Subianto’s direction to accelerate economic development, create jobs and improve the welfare of people outside Java through the transformation of transmigration.

“Indonesia has abundant natural resources. But natural wealth alone is not enough to ensure people’s prosperity. We need technology, investment, industry and human resources capable of creating added value. That is why we want to learn from China’s experience in building industry and developing the rural economy,” Iftitah said in an official statement cited on Monday (12 October).

At the meeting with MARA, the Indonesian delegation will also involve the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) and the Foreign Economic Cooperation Center (FEC) to discuss production technology, agricultural processing and market access.

The priority commodities being explored in transmigration areas include durian in Central Sulawesi, dwarf coconut in East Nusa Tenggara, coconut in North Maluku, and rice, cocoa, coffee and sugar cane in Papua.

In addition to government engagements, Iftitah will deliver a public lecture at Peking University’s Institute of South-South Cooperation and Development (ISSCAD), with the aim of opening up opportunities for academic collaboration and applied research that could provide practical recommendations for developing transmigration areas.

The visit also includes inspections of leading companies and research centres, including BAIC Group, Chongqing Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China National Rice Research Institute, Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt and Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC). Iftitah stressed that approaches learned from China would be adapted to Indonesia’s geographic, social and cultural characteristics.