Maukaro, Ende, NTT (November 24, 2025) – Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP), through Team I of the UNDIP Patriot Expedition, has once again demonstrated its commitment to accelerating regional development and community empowerment by holding the second Focus Group Discussion (FGD) in the Kolikapa transmigration area, Maukaro District, Ende Regency, Nusa Tenggara Timur, at the end of October. This activity served as a strategic step toward formulating implementable recommendations to advance a self-sufficient and sustainable transmigration area, aligned with the spirit of ‘Noble and Valuable UNDIP’ and the “Diktisaintek Berdampak” program.
The FGD was led by the Team Leader, Dr. Wido Prananing Tyas, S.T., MDP., Ph.D, along with team members Dimas Bryanputra Christnawan, S.PWK., M.PWK.; Sanita Sitinjak, S.I.Kom.; Septa Prika Pradana, S.Pt.; and Shandrina Vellia Armeidha. This hybrid-format session brought together central and regional officials, academics, subdistrict authorities, representatives from 11 villages in Maukaro District, and the Kolikapa transmigrant community.
Bondan Djati Utama, S.Si., M.M., Director of Transmigration Community Empowerment at the Ministry of Transmigration, who attended virtually, expressed his appreciation for the effort to compile community-based recommendations.
“I hope this discussion produces evaluation findings that can be followed up immediately, with accurate technical recommendations ready to be incorporated into development planning,” he said.
Meanwhile, in-person speakers from BAPPERIDA NTT, represented by Tanda Soalagogo Sirait, S.T., MURP., the Ende Regency Development Planning Agency (BAPPEDA) through Adrianus Yosafat Muda, S.T., and the Ende Employment and Transmigration Office through Oktovianus Rua Putra, S.Sos., MPA, emphasized the importance of synchronizing development visions across levels of government. Academic input was also provided virtually by Dian Fitriawati Mochdar, S.T., M.T., from the Universitas Flores.
In their preliminary report, Team I of the UNDIP Patriot Expedition identified several fundamental issues, including limited post-harvest processing, restricted market access, dominance by middlemen, inadequate basic infrastructure, and the need to strengthen human resource capacity.
The team’s initial recommendations focused on three key aspects:
- Social and institutional: strengthening cooperatives, integrating BUMDes, and enhancing community participation;
- Economic: developing the region’s leading commodities;
- Ecological and basic infrastructure: road access, essential public services, and regional connectivity.
Speakers highlighted the need for measurable success indicators and phased implementation plans for the short-, medium-, and long-term. One of the primary priorities discussed was the development of Bali cattle as a flagship commodity supported by ongoing budget allocations. Coastal fishery potential—such as salt flats and seaweed cultivation—was also mentioned as a complementary economic opportunity.
During the discussion session, the Kolikapa community voiced concerns regarding the long-delayed issuance of Land Ownership Certificates (Sertifikat Hak Milik / SHM) for their homes. Participants hoped that both central and local governments would expedite the process, as it directly affects livelihood security and economic access.
This issue became an essential consideration in formulating recommendations to ensure that land administration issues are prioritized in the area’s integrated development plan.
The FGD concluded that an integrated strategy is needed from the provincial level down to villages to position Maukaro as a new economic hub, with Bali cattle as the primary commodity, supported by potentials in plantations, agriculture, coastal fisheries, and local crafts.
The Kolikapa transmigration hamlet is projected to serve as the core area, supported by buffer zones such as Wewaria, Maurole Port, Kotabaru, Detusoko, Lepembusu Kelisoke, and Detukeli. Strengthening connectivity—both road access and land–sea logistics hubs—was identified as a prerequisite for the area’s success.
Following the FGD, Team I of the UNDIP Patriot Expedition will finalize the report and submit it to the Ende Regency Government, the NTT Provincial Government, and the Ministry of Transmigration. Report presentations in Ende and Kupang are planned for early December 2025.
The report will contain concise, measurable, and results-oriented implementable recommendations that can be acted upon immediately by all stakeholders.
With collective support, the Maukaro transmigration area is expected to grow into an inclusive, sustainable economic center that delivers real benefits to the community, in line with the commitment of ‘Noble and Valuable UNDIP’ for Indonesia. (Public Communication UNDIP / Team 1 of Patriot Expedition Maukaro Ende – NTT; ed. DHW)
