Businesses in the Muting Transmigration Area introduced 10 products to wider markets through a collective marketing pilot led by Team 16 of Universitas Gadjah Mada’s Muting Patriot Expedition Team (TEP UGM) at the Kalimaro Festival in South Papua from October 1–5, 2026. The initiative is part of the Kasuari program, which encourages community business groups to expand market access through cooperation and shared resource management. The ten products include locally produced Muting coffee, downstream cassava products, tourism packages, and products derived from local endemic plants.
Rindu S. M. Firdaus, head of Team 16 of UGM’s Muting Patriot Expedition, said collective marketing was an initial step toward introducing cooperation between business groups to reach wider markets.
“This collective marketing pilot is an initial step toward demonstrating that community business groups in the Muting Transmigration Area can strengthen one another through cooperation,” Rindu said on Monday, October 12.
According to Rindu, a collective approach allows business groups to manage their marketing and operational needs together. This model is expected to help communities overcome several barriers to market expansion, including promotional costs, product distribution, and the need for additional workers to support sales activities.
In addition to introducing local products, Team 16 promoted three tourism destinations managed by community groups in the Muting Transmigration Area. These destinations have potential for further development with sustained promotion, stronger group management, and expanded market networks and partnerships.
The collective marketing pilot also involved collaboration with other teams from UGM’s Muting Patriot Expedition. Team 9 developed coffee product prototypes, Team 12 focused on cassava downstreaming, Team 13 worked in tourism, and Team 17 supported the development of local endemic plants.
The teams collaborated through various mentoring activities focused on developing community potential, from increasing product value to preparing products for introduction to wider markets. Products brought to the Kalimaro Festival were then consolidated into a single marketing initiative.
Team 16’s participation in the festival also drew visitors’ interest. Several visitors to the booth expressed interest in the displayed products and asked for information about their producers.
Rindu explained that collective marketing is intended not only to increase sales but also to build relationships among business groups.
“Through this collective approach, we want to demonstrate that access to wider markets can be developed more efficiently, inclusively, and sustainably.”
The Kasuari program, which promotes connectivity among economic enterprises, customary communities, gender initiatives, and inclusivity, positions local economic development as part of efforts to build inclusive community institutions. The approach brings together the interests of Indigenous communities and former transmigrant communities through cooperation among business groups in the Muting Transmigration Area.
The results of the Kalimaro Festival pilot will inform evaluations and discussions for further pilot activities and mentoring planned for October–November 2026. Team 16 is also developing a website-based platform to showcase the Muting Transmigration Area’s local potential.
Through these mentoring activities, Team 16 hopes to develop a more structured collective marketing model, enabling community groups to expand their market networks, manage their economic and tourism potential, and establish independent and sustainable partnerships.
Author: Adinda Putri Rahma
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-Editor: Priyananda
Photo: TEP Muting Documentation