Changes Blossom in Rural Areas

KOMPAS/AMBROSIUS HARTO

An underutilized facility at Pelang Beach, Wonocoyo, Panggul, Trenggalek, East Java, Wednesday (5/9/2018). The beach, which also features hills, limestone caves and waterfalls, is one of Wonocoyo\'s mainstay attractions and is managed by the Trenggalek administration. However, promotion and management development do not involve local people, who instead work as security guards or food and beverage sellers.

Muddy roads, a lack of facilities and miserable conditions, this might be a picture of villages in the past. Perhaps, even now there is still some truth to that description. However, today that image is not really accurate. Come, feel the changes in villages across the country.

Awareness of the need for change, supported by state funds, the private sector and the assistance of stakeholders, brought about a determination to change in villages. Some have moved toward becoming advanced and independent villages, while others continue to struggle to improve supporting infrastructure.

In Yogyakarta, tourism villages have flourished, such as in Gunung Kidul and Kulon Progo, as have entrepreneurial villages in Bantul, which are increasingly known to the public. The same has occurred in Central Java, such as Ponggok village, Klaten, which in recent years has sparked a viral tourist village trend on social media. Look, there the city people flock to enjoy the beauty of the atmosphere along with rural culinary delights.

In East Java, tourist villages have also emerged and with no less excitement, such as in Malang regency, bringing relatively large revenues for village development. However, all of them need a process.

"We start from the physical, but in line with that we implement the basics for improving the economy of the village community," said Amraen Putra, head of Bagik Polak village, Labuapi, West Lombok regency in West Nusa Tenggara in early September. This year, from village funds of Rp 984 million, Rp 722 million has been used for drainage, road concreting, public street lighting, village garden construction and bathing, washing, and latrine (MCK) facilities.

From the perspective of the city and modernity, the changes in Bagik Polak are still probably far from being described as advanced. However, for them, changing the habits of residents to stop defecating in the river has been an achievement. The addition of public MCK facilities, as well village parks and sports facilities on the banks of the river, have forced residents to no longer "hang out" near the river.

Now, heavy rains no longer bring flooding because drainage channels have been built and maintained. Trashcans and waste processing are now also provided in the village, which is located about 10 kilometers south of Mataram city, the capital of NTB.

Over the last two months, residents have revived village-owned enterprises (BUMDes), which provide building materials for residents. A number of business training programs have also begun even though they still need assistance. The village is the location of a real work study program (KKN) for students of Gadjah Mada University (UGM), Yogyakarta, which provides assistance and guidance.

In Banyuasin regency, South Sumatra, residents of Sungsang IV village practice their English skills. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has designated the area around the village a Biosphere Reserve. The village is prepared to receive visits by foreign tourists and researchers.

Village funds provide the means and opportunities for villages to be improved. Rp 60 trillion has been distributed in 2018. In Kalukubula village, Dolo district, Sigi regency, Central Sulawesi, for example, village roads and drainage facilitate peoples’ mobility. Entrepreneurship training has fostered a number of group businesses that provide additional income.

"There is an addition, although not large. We are ready to increase production," said the chairman of Tiga Putri Group, Sumarsono. The group produces snacks made from bananas after being given training.

“Matchmaker”

Villages, Disadvantaged Regions and Transmigration Minister Eko Putro Sandjojo said infrastructure was important. In addition to improving peoples’ mobility, investment requires the existence of supporting facilities. The ministry has requested that village funds begin to be directed toward community empowerment.

Investment in villages is also important to drive the economy and create employment. One project in East Nusa Tenggara cooperates with the private sector to distribute water to dry land so locals can grow sugarcane. As a result, locals now earn an income every month.

However, Eko said, none of this would have happened without a positive response from the regional heads and the residents themselves. "The key is to be a \'matchmaker\'. Without the commitment of the regent, it would be difficult," he said.

The importance of local government support for villages was also confirmed by the deputy regent of Trenggalek, Muhammad Nur Arifin. There, the regency government provides special assistance funds for villages accompanied by UGM’s community service program. "It is aimed at focusing on the work program and allowing residents to not to have to think about looking for more funds," he said.

In the regency, three villages were accompanied by students, who performed tasks ranging from simple administrative duties to identifying potential village tourism brands "worth selling". A document on how to redesign the development of Kili-Kili Tourism Beach and Pelang Beach in Wonocoyo village has been developed.

Pelang Beach is blessed with a stretch of white sand, limestone caves and waterfalls, but efforts to develop the site as a tourism destination have not involved locals. "Because it is managed by the regency administration, residents find it difficult to encourage or be involved in the development and promotion," said Papang Wida, a local youth.

According to Nur Arifin, Trenggalek is a pocket of poverty in southern Java. Moreover, many excellent workers migrate outside the region, leaving workers that are less capable and require more assistance.

"We cannot work alone to solve the peoples’ problems because we realize we still have limitations. Students can help direct the village to its target," he said.

There is no guarantee that assistance will bring rapid changes to villages. However, the rising number of tourist visits to the villages and the success of BUMDes show that changes are blossoming.

(BRO/VDL/NAD/DIA/GSA)