Food Estate in Papua: Encouraging Food Security and Creating Jobs

Jakarta – The Food Estate program developed by the government in Merauke, Papua, is a strategic step in strengthening national food security while opening up new economic opportunities for the local community.

This project not only increases food production, but also creates jobs and encourages economic equality in eastern Indonesia. By utilizing previously unproductive idle land, the Food Estate in Merauke has shown real results for regional development.

Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman emphasized that this program has brought significant benefits, with a rice harvest reaching 40 thousand tons. “From the idle land that we optimized, it has now produced a harvest of 40 thousand tons. This proves that this program has a real impact on our food security,” he said. Amran also added that this project is not only oriented towards increasing production, but also opening up new job opportunities in the agricultural sector for the Papuan people.

Support for this project also came from Member of Commission XIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives from the Nasdem Faction, Tonny Tesar, who sees the Food Estate as the government’s effort to strengthen the Papuan economy.

“We fully support the President’s program to build a national food center in Merauke. Most importantly, this project continues to pay attention to the rights of indigenous peoples and is carried out with an approach that involves local residents,” he said.

According to him, coordination between the central and regional governments is very important for this project to run optimally.

In addition, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Ribka Haluk emphasized that the Food Estate project brings great benefits to the Papuan people.

“The government always prioritizes the interests of the community in every policy. For this reason, communication continues to be opened with residents so that this project truly provides welfare for all,” he said.

The success of the Food Estate in Papua is proof of the government’s commitment to building national food security.

With a sustainable approach and involving various stakeholders, this project is expected to continue to grow and have a positive impact on the Papuan economy and Indonesia as a whole.