According to the Indonesian Minister of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration, Yandri Susanto, the utilization of Village Funds in 2025 will prioritize programs aimed at eradicating extreme poverty and strengthening food security.
Quoting worldbank.org, the international extreme poverty line is set at US$2.15 per person per day, using 2017 prices.
Meanwhile, data from Indonesia's Central Agency on Statistics (BPS) as of March 2024 shows that the percentage of people living in extreme poverty in Indonesia was 0.83% of the total population, a decrease of 0.29 percentage points from the previous year’s figure of 1.12%.
At a socialization event for Ministerial Regulation Number 2 of 2024, which provides operational guidelines for the focus of the Village Fund usage in 2025, held in Jakarta on Wednesday (7/1), Minister Yandri Susanto stated that 15% of Village Funds will be allocated to reduce extreme poverty rates. If no extreme poverty is present in a particular village, the use of Village Funds will be further regulated in technical guidelines.
Furthermore, the utilization of Village Funds in 2025 will also prioritize to support food security programs. Ministerial Regulation Number 2 of 2024 mandates that at least 20% of Village Funds must be used for food self-sufficiency programs to bolster food security.
President Prabowo Subianto’s administration's programs to reduce poverty rates and achieve food self-sufficiency have become one of the top priorities for the Ministry of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration. However, these efforts will require support from other ministries and agencies to ensure smooth implementation and achievement of targets.
With strong cooperation from all parties, and proper oversight to ensure the effective use of funds, the government’s Asta Cita agenda, particularly for eradicating poverty and achieving food self-sufficiency, can be successfully realized. (Publish: Rama)