Local Economic Advancement & Development Research
Vol. 1 No. 1 (2026): Journal of Local Economic Advancement & Development Research

Village Funds, Infrastructure Development, and Rural Economic Development: Evidence from Tana Toraja

Silsilia Intan Manga (Universitas Bosowa Makasar)
Palipada Palisuri (Universitas Bosowa Makasar)
Thamrin Abduh (Universitas Bosowa Makasar)



Article Info

Publish Date
01 May 2026

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the effectiveness of village fund utilization in supporting rural economic development through infrastructure development in Lembang Rantedada, Mengkendek District, Tana Toraja Regency, Indonesia. The study employed a mixed-method approach by combining quantitative and qualitative methods. Quantitative analysis was used to evaluate the effectiveness of village fund disbursement based on the ratio between realized village funds and the total allocated funds, while qualitative data were obtained through interviews with village officials to examine the contribution of infrastructure development to rural economic development. The findings indicate that village fund realization exceeded the initially reported allocation during the 2019–2023 period, with effectiveness ratios ranging from 120.27% to 635.16%. The qualitative findings further indicate that infrastructure development, particularly roads and bridges, improved community mobility, accessibility to urban and market areas, and the distribution of agricultural products. These improvements contributed to the continuity of local livelihoods and supported rural economic activities. The study implies that village funds can serve as an important instrument for promoting rural economic development when effectively directed toward infrastructure that responds to community needs. Strengthening transparency, accountability, participatory planning, and the managerial capacity of village governments is essential to ensure that village fund utilization generates sustainable and inclusive economic benefits.

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Local Economic Advancement & Development Research is an open-access, peer-reviewed scholarly journal dedicated to disseminating high-quality research, analytical studies, and empirical investigations in the field of local and regional economic development. The journal serves as an academic forum for ...