Govt strengthens transmigration zones through research

 The government is optimizing the Patriot Expedition Team (TEP) to research local potential and formulate strategies for new economic development in transmigration areas.

Transmigration Minister Iftitah Sulaiman Suryanagara said 2,000 students and academics have been deployed to 154 strategic transmigration zones to assess regional potential.

"The key to this transformation is achieving economic growth with the support of highly skilled human resources," he said at the Patriot Expedition Team exhibition at Bandung Institute of Technology, West Java

The four-month program focuses on downstream development and industrialization as part of efforts to strengthen human resources in transmigration areas.

The presence of skilled personnel is expected to help identify local challenges and provide development solutions tailored to regional characteristics.

Suryanagara said the government continues to strengthen transmigration zones to support population distribution and economic growth, despite recurring issues such as land disputes.

He stressed the need to improve these areas to enhance community welfare and increase regional revenue.

Gradual infrastructure upgrades are expected to boost the attractiveness of transmigration regions, while residential development must be carefully planned through cross-ministerial and institutional coordination.

"We must immediately carry out revitalization, including resolving land issues. If we only focus on problems, nothing will be resolved," he said.

Research conducted by the team in 2025 found that transmigration areas hold significant economic potential, although management has yet to fully utilize data, science, and technology.

The program is supported by the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) and other ministries, and is described as one of the largest collaborative studies conducted in transmigration zones in terms of scale and data scope.