Indonesian officials are seeking to draw on China’s experience in rural development as part of efforts to alleviate poverty and boost economic growth in less populated regions of the country. Transmigration Minister Muhammad Iftitah Sulaiman Suryanagara began a weeklong visit to China on Monday to engage in discussions with Chinese government agencies, companies, and academic institutions.
The Indonesian government’s transmigration program relocates residents from densely populated islands to sparser areas with the aim of creating new agricultural and economic opportunities. Since its inception, the program has moved more than 7.2 million people. During his visit, Suryanagara emphasized Indonesia’s interest in learning from China’s integrated approach to rural development, which combines agriculture, infrastructure, industrialization, and workforce training to raise living standards.
China’s successful poverty alleviation campaign, which the government declared complete in 2021 after an eight-year effort, provides a model that Indonesia hopes to adapt. Chinese officials credit the campaign’s success to targeted measures at the household and individual levels, supporting transitions from farm labor to higher-paying jobs in manufacturing, construction, and services, along with tax cuts and subsidies to stimulate income growth.
Indonesia is also exploring opportunities to expand the export potential of certain agricultural products, with durian among the crops under consideration. The fruit, grown primarily in Central Sulawesi province, could become a focal point for bilateral cooperation. Mohamad Reza Tirtawinata, director of the Nusantara Durian Foundation, stressed the need for greater government support for fruit production and the relaxation of investment regulations to attract Chinese investors interested in plantation development. Tirtawinata highlighted the necessity of improving infrastructure related to durian testing, packaging, and shipping to enable year-round exports to China.
On Tuesday, Suryanagara met with four Chinese companies, including China National Township Enterprises, which presented contracts to purchase a total of 14,000 tonnes of Indonesian mung beans and seaweed, valued at approximately US$195.59 million. These discussions illustrate ongoing efforts to strengthen agricultural trade relations and industrial cooperation between the two countries.
Experts such as Paramitaningrum, a lecturer in international relations at Bina Nusantara University in Jakarta, noted that focusing on rural development is critical for improving living conditions and reducing poverty across Indonesia’s archipelago. The engagement with China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs is expected to inform policies and initiatives aimed at supporting the country’s transmigration areas through modernization, technology transfer, and job creation strategies.