Thousands of village heads gathered in Serang to discuss the role of villages in economic growth and food security.
The APDESI Merah Putih 2026 National Working Meeting was held on Wednesday at the Aston Hotel & Convention Center in Serang, Banten. The event, themed Sinergi Merah Putih untuk Memperkuat Peran Desa dalam Pembangunan Strategis Nasional, drew thousands of participants from across Indonesia. APDESI Merah Putih Chairman Anwar Sadat said villages must become the main subjects of development that drive the economy from below. He stressed the need to manage village natural resources, human capital and social capital through collaboration among government, business and communities. The meeting covered agricultural development, village cooperatives, digital transformation and investment. Several senior officials attended, including DPR Deputy Speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad and Village Minister Yandri Susanto.
