A set of strategic recommendations for developing the transmigration area in Kapuas Hulu Regency has been submitted by the Output-1 Mentebah Patriot Expedition Team to the Ministry of Transmigration, the Kapuas Hulu Regency Government, the Kapuas Hulu Regional House of Representatives (DPRD), and other stakeholders. The submission of these recommendations is expected to enable the prompt follow-up of various development programs aimed at advancing the transmigration area in Kapuas Hulu.
The team successfully formulated these strategic recommendations after conducting a comprehensive three-month field study. Their work included literacy and document reviews, in-depth interviews, data analysis, focus group discussions, hearings, and the preparation of several reports.
“Our mission is to develop recommendations based on an evaluation of the Mentebah transmigration area in Kapuas Hulu. Through comprehensive field studies, we hope the Mentebah transmigration area can become a sustainable, inclusive, and community-responsive transmigration area,” said Laura Silka Karawina Rokhmat on Wednesday (Nov. 19).
The Mentebah Patriot Expedition Team was deployed by Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) in collaboration with the Ministry of Transmigration. The team, consisting of Dr. Ria Amelia, Laura Silka Karawina Rokhmat, Patrick Bayu Seto Nugroho, and K.H. Mahadhevy, carried out community service activities from mid-August to early December 2025.
“During our service in the transmigration area in Kapuas Hulu Regency, the team was committed to working alongside the transmigrant community to improve their welfare and advocate for their rights so that both residential and agricultural land can eventually be granted as land ownership rights,” she explained.
Led by Dr. Dwi Umi Siswanti, the team also held an audience with the DPRD Kapuas Hulu at their office. The visit was received by the Chair of the DPRD, Yanto; the vice chairs, Topan Ali Akbar and Hairudin; members of the DPRD; and several staff members.
In addition, the team held a hearing with the Deputy Regent of Kapuas Hulu, Sukardi, who was accompanied by the Head of the Kapuas Hulu Office of Manpower, Industry, and Transmigration, Elisabet Rosli; the Office Secretary, Aspiansyah; the Head of the Transmigration Division, Almiyati; and other staff.
During the audience, the Patriot Expedition Team presented several research findings on the conditions in the Mentebah Transmigration Area.
Based on these findings, the team encouraged the Kapuas Hulu Regency Government to initiate research and community service collaborations with universities by opening student deployment programs through the Community Service Program (KKN-PPM) over several periods to accelerate economic activity and improve literacy among transmigrant residents.
The team also encouraged the Office of Manpower, Industry, and Transmigration to organize specialized training in each area.
“These trainings should align with the leading commodities of each transmigration area. They need knowledge support, and we hope the office can begin exploring partnerships with oil palm investors for the Kirin Nangka area,” Dr. Dwi Umi Siswanti said.
Deputy Regent Sukardi expressed his appreciation and also encouraged the Patriot Expedition Team to continue their research on Kapuas Hulu’s primary commodity, Keratom. The team successfully developed a diversified Keratom product in the form of kombucha, a fermented beverage made from Keratom leaves, sugar, and SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast).
“We are very pleased that the team has conducted secondary metabolite tests on the plant, known scientifically as Mitragyna speciosa. We will prepare documentation and patent requirements for this plant so it can be developed as a flagship product of Kapuas Hulu,” Sukardi said.
Author: Agung Nugroho
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya