Indonesia Seeks to Bring Research and Innovation Directly to Villages

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia’s Ministry of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions is pushing to bring research and innovation closer to rural communities through stronger collaboration with the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN). The initiative aims to accelerate village development and support the government’s broader efforts to reduce poverty and improve economic equality.

Speaking at the BRIN Goes to Villages: BRIN Menyapa Desa event in Jakarta, Thursday, 5 June 2026 Minister of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions, Yandri Susanto, praised BRIN for promoting research-based solutions at the village level. He said the program aligns with President Prabowo Subianto’s sixth development priority, which focuses on building Indonesia from villages and grassroots communities.

According to Yandri, BRIN’s five pillars of village innovation—covering social development, governance, the economy, the environment, and local wisdom complement the ministry’s 12-point village development agenda. He emphasized the importance of translating scientific research into practical programs that can directly benefit rural communities.

“Therefore, we have committed with the Head of BRIN to ensure that research findings and innovations produced by BRIN can be implemented at the village level,” Yandri said during his keynote address.

The minister noted that several government initiatives, including tourism villages, export-oriented villages, and thematic village programs, would benefit from BRIN’s expertise and support. He said stronger collaboration could help ensure these programs generate sustainable economic opportunities and improve community welfare.

Yandri also highlighted the importance of cross-sector partnerships involving other ministries, including the Ministry of Environment’s waste-free village initiative. He expressed confidence that coordinated efforts would help keep Indonesia on track toward achieving its Golden Indonesia 2045 vision.

In addition, the ministry is implementing the Green Economic Self-Sufficiency and Integrated Food Security Program, known as SEHATI, through cooperation between the Indonesian government and the World Bank. The program seeks to maximize village potential while promoting environmentally sustainable economic growth.

The minister said the government aims to reach around 10,000 villages through various development initiatives and partnerships. He added that collaboration with BRIN, alongside support from more than 500 private companies and state-owned enterprises, would help advance Indonesia’s 75,266 villages and turn the vision of “building villages, building Indonesia” into reality.