Presidential Staffer Billy Mambrasar Visits Millennial Farmers in Merauke Regency

Special Staffer to the President Billy Mambrasar meets millennial farmers during his visit to Merauke, Papua province, Tuesday (17/11) (Photo by: Billy Mambrasar SKP Team)

In a bid to introduce the Millennial Farmer Program, Special Staffer to the President Billy Mambrasar, accompanied by Head of Merauke Regency Agriculture Office Ratna Lauce, held a meeting with approximately 20 representatives of the millennial farmer community at the Merauke Regency Agriculture Office, Papua province, Tuesday (17/11).

On the occasion, Billy promised to accommodate their aspirations by formulating the inputs into policy recommendations for the Central Government, especially Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo and President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo.

“Minister of Agriculture and I fully support President Jokowi’s program to improve food security in Indonesia. Especially through this Millennial Farmer program run by Ministry of Agriculture, we will create a consistent and quality supply, while also improving the welfare of the community,” Billy said.

During the meeting, a joint action plan was established to develop the food and agro sector in the Regency, located at the easternmost of Indonesia.

The Head of the Agriculture Office also expressed appreciation for the visit. “This visit can provide an overview and motivation to millennial farmer communities in Merauke Regency to raise their enthusiasm to improve the farmer’s economy,” she said.

Ratna also expressed hope that the collaboration will advance the livelihood of farmers, especially millennial farmers in Merauke.

In addition to meetings with millennial farmers, Billy accompanied by Head of the Peat Restoration Agency (BRG) Nazir Foead also visited community shredded fish processing in Pachas, Muting District.

During the visit, the Presidential Staffer promised to help with the marketing of the shredded fish. “To help with developing the capacity of the community in processing fishery resources, from the production process of shredded fish, certification to marketing,” he said.

Billy also stressed the importance of opening market access before production is carried out for guaranteed market absorption. “Shredded fish is produced by the people of Pachas Village and will be absorbed by the market in Surabaya, East Java province. It will help in terms of marketing and it is hoped that this will run according to what the community dreams of,” he said.

The processing of shredded fish is a BRG program to improve Papua’s human resources and strengthen the economy of communities in peat areas.

“The development is carried out by increasing the capacity of the community to be more creative by utilizing the existing natural potentials. By providing economic revitalization assistance, it serves as an incentive for the community to maintain and manage peatlands in a sustainable manner,” Nazir said.

According to Nazir, as of this year, the BRG has provided 69 packages for Economic Revitalization in Papua. “Nine packages go through the assignment scheme in Merauke Regency and 60 packages go through the co-administration scheme,” he said.

The types of economic revitalization activities for the Papuan people are carried out in the forms of sago cultivation, rice cultivation, training in making shredded fish, procurement of environmentally friendly fishing gear, and pig farming.

“As for capacity building and community capacity building, the Peat Care Village (DPG) program is currently being implemented in 12 villages and 10 mini demonstration gardens,” Nazir said. (BILLY MAMBRASAR SKP TEAM/UN) (FI/MUR)