Agriculture Minister Affirms Commitment to Build Papua's Farming Based on Local Potential

Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman has reaffirmed his commitment, alongside the people of Papua, to building an agricultural sector based on local potential. This initiative aims to involve the younger generation as economic drivers, tailored to the cultural characteristics, geography, and needs of the local community.

“I am from the mountains of South Sulawesi. I have many brothers and sisters in Papua. Why did I invite you to my private residence? Because you are meeting your own elder brother, your own kin. I am your minister, and I am also a brother to the Papuan people. We shall build Papua together,” the Minister stated in Jakarta on Thursday.

He made these remarks while receiving and engaging in dialogue with 1<0xA0>150 students from various regions of Papua at his private residence in Jakarta.

The Minister encouraged the Papuan youth to work together to develop the Land of Papua through agricultural development that is rooted in local potential, culture, and the specific requirements of the local population.

During the meeting, students from Central Papua, Highland Papua, Southwest Papua, South Papua, and West Papua presented the leading potential of their respective regions, ranging from sweet potatoes, red fruit, peanuts, sago, coffee, and cocoa, to coconut and livestock and fisheries commodities.

In the dialogue, Edron Tabuni, a student from Central Papua, conveyed that communities in the mountainous regions require support for the development of local food commodities, particularly sweet potatoes, which have long served as a staple food for the people.

According to him, agricultural development in Papua must be adapted to the specific characteristics of the region and the culture of the local community.