Thematic Mapping Of Potential And Characteristics Of Innovation Villages In The Meranti Islands Regency

Abstract

The development of regional potential must be oriented towards improving the welfare of independent rural communities, by necessitating increased competitiveness and economic growth, strengthening effective and efficient village governance in the village, empowering communities and potential villages, utilizing technology, and networking continuously. One of these efforts is through an innovation village development program. Meranti Islands Regency has the potential to develop innovation villages. In addition to supporting natural potential, there are quite a number of types of small businesses that utilize the potential of the region. The aim of this study was to determine the potential and characteristics of innovation villages in the Meranti Islands Regency. Primary data were obtained from field observations about village potential. Data analysis was performed with Location Quotient (LQ) and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). The results showed that there are five villages in the Meranti Islands Regency which have the potential to become the object of the development of the innovation villages, including Sungai Tohor, Kondur, Bokor, Telesung, and Tanjung Darul Takzim. The main product variants from each village: processed sago, processed ginger, tourism, processed fish, and creative industries. It was recommended that all components were involved in the development of innovation villages, entrepreneurship development, institutional strengthening, and improvement of rural infrastructure.