UNDIP, Muaro Sijunjung (October 8, 2025) – The Government of Sijunjung Regency, Sumatera Barat, together with the Patriot Expedition Team from UNDIP, ITB, and IPB University, recently held a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on the study and research of the Muara Takung Transmigration Area in Kamang Baru District. The discussion aimed to map the economic potential of the transmigration region. The event, attended by stakeholders including the Regional Secretary, DPRD members, regional leadership coordination forum (Forkompimda), heads of related regional offices, and academics from Universitas Negeri Padang (UNP), took place in the Operation Room of the Sijunjung Regent’s Office on Thursday (October 2, 2025).
The event was opened by the Regional Secretary, Dr. Zefnihan A.P., M.Si., who warmly welcomed the presence of the Patriot Expedition Team in Sijunjung. He emphasized that the initiative aligns with the President of Indonesia’s Asta Cita Vision—developing from the villages upward to achieve equitable economic growth and poverty alleviation through the Ministry of Transmigration’s 5T Program: Trans Tuntas, Trans Lokal, Trans Patriot, Trans Karya Nusa, and Trans Gotong Royong. Transmigration today is no longer merely relocating people—it is a form of long-term investment, involving the sending of competent human resources to develop regional potential and design data-driven investment frameworks.
He further explained that the involvement of universities in the development of transmigration areas is expected to bridge academia and policy, act as agents of change, conduct regional potential mapping and analysis, support MSMEs, prepare investment plans, introduce innovations that promote industrialization and economic growth, and formulate solutions to help communities in transmigration areas.
The Head of the Office of Manpower and Transmigration, David Rinaldo, S.STP., explained that the FGD is part of the Patriot Expedition of the Ministry of Transmigration, which focuses on research and action in Integrated Transmigration Economic Zones (KETT). The Patriot Expedition Team in Muara Takung aims to produce three key outputs: (1) recommendations for evaluating the Transmigration Area, (2) a development design for leading regional commodities, and (3) a collaborative institutional model for economic development in the area. David expressed his hope that this FGD would generate strategic recommendations addressing not only technical development but also social and participatory approaches.
Representing UNDIP’s Patriot Expedition Team, Dr.-Ing. Prihadi Nugroho, S.T., M.T., M.P.P., stated that the FGD serves to verify and confirm the team’s preliminary findings based on secondary data collection, interviews, mapping surveys, and field observations conducted since August. The team applied a participatory planning charrette method, inviting participants to identify opportunities and challenges in the transmigration area using thematic maps. The goal, he added, was to comprehensively map the physical, environmental, social, economic, and institutional aspects of the region.
The FGD was dynamic, addressing specific issues such as key regional commodities and infrastructure accessibility across the area. Dr. Veralianta Br. Sebayang, S.P., M.Si., Head of the IPB University Patriot Expedition Team, emphasized the importance of strengthening upstream–downstream supply chains for palm oil and other potential commodities, such as rice, corn, coffee, and horticulture, to enhance the region’s competitive and comparative advantages. These findings, she added, could serve as recommendations for the Ministry in determining investment priorities in transmigration area development.
Meanwhile, Dr. Destina Ratna Asih Khodijah Kadarsah, S.T., M.Sc., Head of the ITB Patriot Expedition Team, emphasized that stakeholder synergy in economic institutional structures is crucial to creating a conducive business climate and fostering multi-stakeholder collaboration to advance transmigration areas.
Following the FGD, Regent of Sijunjung Regency, Benny Dwifa Yuswir, S.STP., M.Si., hosted the Patriot Expedition Team, Forkompimda members, and heads of related offices at his official residence on Thursday evening. The Regent expressed appreciation for the universities’ involvement in exploring the economic potential of transmigration areas, which are envisioned as future regional growth centers. “We have 2,000 hectares of land available to support the development of refinery industries, facilities, and infrastructure for processing palm oil and other leading commodities. We are ready to provide even more if needed,” he affirmed.
He also noted Sijunjung’s strategic location along the national route connecting Padang, Riau, and Jambi, its natural beauty in the Silokek Ranah Minang Geopark, and its rich cultural heritage in the Sijunjung Traditional Village. These assets, he added, position Sijunjung as a promising new economic hub to attract investment in West Sumatra. The local government’s commitment and determination aim to boost economic growth, create jobs, and promote equitable welfare across the community.
This initiative represents a concrete step in supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including poverty eradication (SDG 1), food security (SDG 2), economic growth and infrastructure development (SDG 8 & 9), sustainable settlements (SDG 11), and partnerships among communities, governments, and universities (SDG 17). It also aligns with the Ministry’s Diktisaintek Berdampak program. (Public Communication/UNDIP/Prihadi Nugroho, edited by As)
