Press Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia after the Initial Planting of Sugarcane at PT Global Papua Abadi Sermayam Village, Tanah Miring District, Merauke Regency, South Papua Province, July 23, 2024

We are aware that the world is currently facing a food crisis due to climate change, prolonged heat waves, and droughts. Ensuring food self-sufficiency, food security, and food sovereignty should be our top priority. The future administration under President-elect Prabowo is committed to prioritizing the food and energy sectors.

While here, we have attempted this approach here multiple times with no success. However, now I believe that starting from the initial stages of seeding with tissue culture, planting various varieties, and scientifically monitoring yields, we are seeing promising results.

With expansive flat fields and abundant water resources, I see an opportunity to establish Indonesia as a food hub in Merauke and its surrounding areas, be it rice corn, or sugarcane. Both sugarcane and corn can be processed into granulated sugar and bioethanol.

Earlier, I noticed that the company had a very good intention of starting by establishing a nursery. Please, take a look at it. They plan to expand it later to produce at least 5 million seedlings of endemic trees and plants in Papua, which will be used to re-green and rehabilitate existing forests. This way, we achieve food security and energy while preserving our forests. That concludes my remarks.

(RIF/MUR)