Coordinating Minister For Human Development And Culture: Poverty Rate In Banyuwangi Is Lower Than National

BANYUWANGI - Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (Menko PMK) Muhadjir Effendy said the extreme poverty rate in Banyuwangi Regency, East Java was 0.43 percent and was lower than the national one.12 percent.

"Extreme poverty in Banyuwangi is already good at 0.43 percent. This is lower than the national figure of 1.12 percent," he said while reviewing the provision of Food Reserve Assistance at the Sukojati Village Office, Blimbingsari District, as reported by ANTARA, Friday, March 8.

The extreme poverty rate in Banyuwangi has fallen in the last three years, from 3.73 percent in 2020 to 0.99 percent (2022), and now there are 0.43 percent (2023) remaining.

For this positive performance, the Banyuwangi Regency Government received appreciation from the central government in the form of the Performance Fiscal Incentive Fund (DIFK) for the elimination of extreme poverty in 2023 worth IDR 6.71 billion. This incentive has been optimally used to strengthen poverty reduction programs and strategies in the eastern tip of Pula Jawa district.

The Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture also appreciated Banyuwangi's poverty management programs with participatory programs. Coordinating Minister Muhadjir hopes that Banyuwangi will continue to make progressive efforts so that this figure can be reduced.

"Hopefully this year it can be zero percent, according to the president's instructions to reduce extreme poverty to zero percent by 2024," said Muhadjir.

Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir made a two-day working visit in Banyuwangi, 7-8 March 2024. He appreciated the efforts to deal with extreme poverty carried out by the Banyuwangi Regency Government.

In addition to dealing with poverty, Coordinating Minister Muhadjir also saw how the stunting management program in Banyuwangi was.

"Earlier I also saw how the stunt handling program was moved from below. Cadres (posyandu) were instructed to escort pregnant women related to their nutritional adequacy. This is a good thing because stunting prevention is much better to prevent them when children are still in the womb," he said.