Minister Urges Indonesian Students to Explore Rural Export Potential

RRI.CO.ID, Banten - Indonesia’s Minister of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions, Yandri Susanto, has encouraged university students to become entrepreneurs and explore economic opportunities in rural areas. He made the call while delivering a keynote speech at the campus orientation program for new students at Muhammadiyah University of Jakarta (UMJ) in South Tangerang, Banten, on Monday September 21, 2026.

He said students should use their university years not only to study academic theories but also to research and help develop local potential in villages. He noted that the Ministry of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions has identified 49 export destination countries through its village export program.

“Do not be afraid to dream, even if you are from the city, you can do business in villages. Become entrepreneurs, because we have 49 export destination countries, and they need a lot of chili, lemongrass, shallots, and other commodities,” Yandri said.

He encouraged students to engage more actively in organizations and other campus activities rather than limiting their experience to academic routines. According to Yandri, university life provides an opportunity for students to develop leadership skills and prepare themselves for future roles in society.

“I want to broaden the horizons of our new students; do not just think about going from campus to your boarding house and back again,” he said. “Do not settle for being ordinary students, because I believe some of you here will become ministers or governors in the future.”

Yandri also shared his personal experience of growing up in a farming family in a village with limited infrastructure and public facilities. He said his mother did not finish elementary school and worked with his family growing rice and coffee, while electricity only reached his village in 2002 and mobile phone coverage became available around 2015.

Despite these limitations, Yandri said his background did not prevent him from pursuing higher education and competing for opportunities. “Do not give up because of the situation and conditions you are facing now,” he said, emphasizing that a person’s starting point does not determine their future.

Yandri’s message reflects the government’s effort to encourage young people to participate in developing rural economies while pursuing their education. By combining academic knowledge, entrepreneurship, research, and local resources, students are being encouraged to help connect village products with wider domestic and international markets.