UNDIP, Donggala, Sulawesi Tengah (September 20, 2025) – Patriot Expedition Team 2 from Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP) collaborated with Indonesia’s Ministry of Transmigration in research at the Lalundu and Bambakaenu transmigration areas in Donggala Regency, Sulawesi Tengah. The program brought together UNDIP lecturers, alumni, and students from various disciplines to map and develop the potential of leading commodities in these regions.
The team was led by lecturer Muhammad Iqbal Fauzan, S.P., M.Si., accompanied by alumni from diverse fields—Nafachani Timmu Nafsi, S.P., Sholikatul Azizah Nur Fitriani, S.P.W.K., and Arla Disayna Azzahra Yuniaz, S.A.P.—alongside undergraduate Agroecotechnology student, Muhammad Naufal.
Upon arrival in Sulawesi Tengah, the team was welcomed by the Vice Regent of Donggala, the Provincial Office of Manpower and Transmigration, the Donggala Regency Office of Manpower and Transmigration, as well as the subdistrict heads of Rio Pakava and Pinembani. The local government expressed full support for strengthening commodity development in the Lalundu and Bambakaenu transmigration areas.
“We welcome the presence of the Patriot Expedition Team. Their visit is a real indication of the central government and universities’ attention to developing transmigration regions. We hope this synergy will open opportunities to improve community welfare and strengthen existing local potential,” said Donggala Vice Regent Taufik Muhammad Burhan, S.Pd., M.Si.
In addition to coordinating with regency and subdistrict officials, the Patriot Expedition Team engaged with village heads in Lalundu and Bambakaenu. Abdul Salam, head of Lalundu Village, expressed his appreciation:
“We are glad to be involved in this research process. We hope the team’s findings can serve as a practical guide for developing our village, especially in agriculture and improving residents’ welfare.”
The team also held interactive discussions with farmer groups in Lalundu and Bambakaenu, addressing challenges such as production inputs, cultivation techniques, and market access.
A farmer from Lalundu Village, Tuju, shared his concerns: “We can harvest crops, but the main problem is the market. The road to the city is badly damaged and far, and when it rains, it’s nearly impassable. Ultimately, we sell to middlemen at very low prices. We hope there’s a solution so farmers don’t keep losing out.”
As part of continued support, the Ministry of Transmigration recently deployed a monitoring and evaluation team to the area on Friday, September 12, 2025. The team’s presence aimed to ensure activities were on track and to produce practical recommendations for developing transmigration regions.
Universitas Diponegoro’s Patriot Expedition has positioned Donggala Regency as one of its priority research sites this year. With a focus on Lalundu and Bambakaenu, the program aims to develop commodity strategies that can serve as references for both local and village governments in formulating short-, medium-, and long-term development plans. The initiative also reflects UNDIP’s “Noble and Valuable” spirit, in line with the government’s “Diktisaintek Berdampak” program. (Public Communication/ UNDIP/ Donggala Patriot Expedition Team 2, ed. As)
