In an inspiring initiative to bolster the potential of villages across Lombok Island and Nusa Tenggara Barat (NTB), Lingkar Pena Indonesia engaged in a strategic discussion with the management of the Association of Indonesian Village Governments (APDESI) NTB at UMKM Warung Bambu, Desa Lendang Ara. Key participants included Muh. Husein Baysha, M.Pd., Director of Technology Development at Lingkar Pena Indonesia, and Dodi Afriansyah, S.H., alongside APDESI NTB Secretary M. Tajudin and Treasurer Edi Ansori.
This productive dialogue focused on innovative programs to enhance human resources (HR), community potential, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), agriculture, fisheries, tourism, culture, and local wisdom as drivers of economic development and community welfare across NTB’s villages.
Human Resource Development as the Foundation for Village Potential
Muh. Husein Baysha, M.Pd., emphasized the importance of improving HR capacities in villages as a cornerstone of success. “Villages hold immense potential, but without competent human resources, these opportunities cannot be fully realized. Through technology training and empowerment programs, we can bring about meaningful change,” he stated.
Adding to this, Dodi Afriansyah, S.H., highlighted the need to strengthen village institutions to support the development of MSMEs and other local potentials. “We need to build ecosystems that support the sustainability of MSMEs and empower communities with appropriate policies,” he remarked.
MSMEs and Village Tourism as Economic Pillars
The discussion also prioritized strategies for developing MSMEs and culture-based tourism in Lombok’s villages. APDESI NTB Secretary M. Tajudin stressed the need for local MSMEs to be competitive in the digital market by embracing technology. “Digital promotion is key to expanding markets and enhancing the competitiveness of village MSMEs,” he emphasized.
In addition, village tourism, based on local wisdom such as the Betulak tradition and Gendang Beleq, was recognized as a unique attraction that could draw tourists. Destinations like Tandung Andung in Desa Lendang Ara serve as a successful example of collaboration between village governments, communities, and business actors in promoting local potential.
Technological Innovation for Empowered Villages
Lingkar Pena Indonesia, through the leadership of Muh. Husein Baysha, M.Pd., proposed technology-based solutions to support village development. Programs such as digital marketing training, village information systems, and applications for marketing local products are expected to enhance efficiency and productivity.
Dodi Afriansyah, S.H., added that technology can bridge the gap between villages and global markets. “With technology, villages can not only be consumers but also producers capable of competing nationally and internationally,” he noted.
Strategic Plans and Collective Commitment
The discussion resulted in several strategic plans for implementation, including:
- Village Potential Mapping: Involving local communities in identifying areas of potential growth.
- Digital Training Programs: Supporting MSMEs and tourism operators in adopting technology for promotion and marketing.
- Cultural Tourism Development: Strengthening the appeal of villages as cultural and natural tourism destinations.
- Sustainable Partnerships: Establishing collaboration between Lingkar Pena Indonesia, APDESI NTB, and village governments to accelerate rural development.
Optimism for the Future
APDESI NTB Treasurer Edi Ansori expressed his optimism about the outcomes of the discussion. “We believe that with strong collaboration, villages in NTB can become models of sustainable, local wisdom-based development,” he stated.
This event marked a significant milestone in fostering relationships between stakeholders with a shared vision of advancing Lombok’s villages toward greater independence and progress. With the support of Lingkar Pena Indonesia and APDESI NTB, the villages of Lombok are poised for a brighter and more prosperous future.
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