South Papua to be National Food Estate in Eastern Indonesia

VP Ma’ruf Amin meets Acting Governor of South Papua Apolo Safanpo, members of the South Papua Regional Leadership Coordination Forum and Merauke Religious Harmony Forum, and religious and public figures at the SwissBell Hotel in Merauke regency, South Papua province, Wednesday (11/30). (Photo by: BPMI of Vice Presidential Seceretariat)

The Government pushes South Papua province to be one of the country’s food estates for national food security, especially in Eastern Indonesia.

Vice President Ma’ruf Amin made the statement during his meeting with Acting Governor of South Papua Apolo Safanpo, members of South Papua Regional Leadership Coordination Forum, members of Merauke Religious Harmony Forum, as well as religious figures and public figures in Merauke regency at the SwissBell Hotel in Merauke regency, South Papua province, Wednesday (11/30).

“We must focus on making South Papua a national food estate in Eastern Indonesia, including making rice, fish, and livestock production centers,” he said.

The VP underscored that South Papua province has the potential to become a food estate, but the exploration must be carried out while paying attention to the views of local people. Therefore, it is crucial to involve indigenous Papuans as the ones who have the most insight into the lands in the area.

“Do formulate an approach that is integrated from the upstream to the downstream. Do ensure the involvement of indigenous Papuans,” he said while urging everyone to work together to accelerate the development in South Papua for the welfare of the Papuan people.

“Let us unite our hearts and aim for the same goal to accelerate the development of Indonesia and South Papua. Izakod bekai izakod kai,” he said.

In the meantime, Regent of Merauke Romanus Mbaraka who also attended the meeting stated that South Papua province has great potential for farming, fishery, plantation, husbandry, and horticulture.

“South Papua does not have potential for mining, but God is fair. The southern part of Papua is the leading sector, our province has great potential for farming, fishery, plantation, husbandry, and horticulture or rice cultivation,” he said, adding that agricultural products from the province are distributed to other parts of Papua.

“South Papua can feed all Papuan people thanks to our abundant rice and meat productions,” he said. (BPMI of Vice-Presidential Secretariat/ UN) (DH/MMB)