Central Papua Police support food security through corn cultivation
The Central Papua Regional Police are supporting this year’s food security programme by developing 56 hectares of cornfields in Nabire Regency, as part of a gradual expansion of planting areas to bolster national food security.
Central Papua Police Chief Brigadier General Pol. Jermias Rontini stated in Nabire on Wednesday that the corn cultivation initiative follows the President’s instruction to strengthen food security by utilising available land in the region.
“The Central Papua Police continue to carry out the President’s instruction to strengthen food security. We are focusing on planting corn and continuously identifying areas with potential for development,” he said.
He explained that, of the eight regencies in Central Papua, corn development is currently prioritised in Nabire and Mimika Regencies. In Nabire, during the first quarter, the Central Papua Police harvested four tonnes of corn in Lagari Jaya Village, Makimi District.
The Central Papua Police are striving to increase the planting area by developing community-granted land and other land with agricultural potential. “We have planted corn on five hectares of land and will open an additional five hectares in the West Nabire Police Sector area,” he stated.
He noted that corn cultivation requires thorough preparation, from managing soil acidity levels to providing suitable seeds and fertilisers, to ensure optimal productivity. The Central Papua Police have also coordinated with the Central Papua Provincial Government to utilise community agricultural land through a lease scheme, so that unused land can be turned into productive areas.
“We want available land to be utilised. When there is space for development, we will certainly proceed in stages,” he said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief of Central Papua Police, Commissioner of Police Gustav R. Urbinas, said the food security programme development will be adjusted according to the resources available to the Central Papua Police. He explained that in 2026, 26 hectares of land owned by Central Papua Police and Nabire Police personnel in the West Nabire area are being prepared for corn farming.
“The initial five hectares have already been opened and are being worked on. After that, it will continue to the next plot of land,” he said.
In addition, there are approximately 30 hectares of idle land in the Karadiri 2 area that will also be utilised for corn cultivation once the clearing of the 26 hectares is complete. With this development, the total land prepared by the Central Papua Police for corn cultivation in Nabire Regency reaches 56 hectares, as part of efforts to support food availability while increasing the use of productive land in the region.