CNRRI Researchers Say Salor Transmigration Area in South Papua Has Potential to Become a Rice Hub
The Salor Transmigration Area in South Papua has potential for large-scale agricultural development, particularly for rice, according to researchers from the China National Rice Research Institute (CNRRI).
INFO TEMPO The Ministry of Transmigration received input from the CNRRI team regarding their observations on the agricultural potential of the Salor Transmigration Area in South Papua. The inputs were presented in an audience with the Minister of Transmigration, M. Iftitah Sulaiman Suryanagara, in Sentul, Bogor, West Java, on Thursday, 5 March 2026.
Minister Iftitah said the government welcomes the various recommendations put forward by the Chinese researchers. He stated that the observations will serve as material for follow-up to strengthen the development of transmigration areas based on modern agriculture.
“We accept all inputs presented by the CNRRI team. We will follow up further. I will also speak with the Chinese Ambassador about future development. What is certain is that we are preparing the land, we are preparing the labour, and the Chinese government will assist in terms of financing and also in terms of technology,” said Minister Iftitah.
In their presentation, the CNRRI researchers stated that the Salor Transmigration Area has great potential for large-scale agricultural development, particularly for the rice commodity. The size of the land and the area’s conditions are deemed supportive of producing food with a focus on increasing yields and cultivation efficiency.
CNRRI researcher Zhonghua Sheng explained that Papua has very extensive land resources, which makes it a candidate for a centre of new agricultural development. He also noted that the activity of Chinese communities in Papua could serve as a bridge to strengthen investment cooperation in the agricultural sector.
“We see in Papua vast land, and vast potential. I also note there are Chinese communities in Papua. They are building factories and doing business there, so I am confident this could be an Indonesia–China collaboration. But policy support from the Government of Indonesia is needed to invite Chinese companies to invest in Papua,” said Zhonghua Sheng.
Although there is great potential, the CNRRI team also highlighted several important considerations. One of them is the need for robust policy support to attract investment, particularly from international agricultural companies with technology and experience in large-scale farming.
Infrastructure aspects are also a concern. Papua’s distance from the economic hub on Java keeps logistics costs relatively high, so more efficient distribution strategies are required.
The CNRRI team also emphasised the importance of improving post-harvest technology, such as rice-drying facilities and equipment for processing agricultural produce, to optimise production. Moreover, Zhonghua Sheng noted that Chinese manufacturers of agricultural equipment are interested in exploring cooperation with South Papua.
“I have been in touch with one company that previously collaborated with a firm in Surabaya. They are a producer of agricultural equipment. They are very keen to cooperate with South Papua,” he said.
In response to logistics cost challenges, Minister Iftitah assessed that distribution of production does not necessarily have to be directed to Java. He suggested that harvests from South Papua could be marketed to nearby Pacific-region countries.
“Production should not necessarily go to Java; it could go to Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific region—that is what we need from the Chinese government,” he said.
The Indonesian government, according to Iftitah, is committed to strengthening international cooperation to promote modern agriculture in transmigration areas, including with China, which has long experience in the development of rice technology.
Zhonghua Sheng added that they would report the visit’s outcomes to their leaders in China and inform interested companies about the agricultural potential in Papua. CNRRI also offers capacity-building opportunities through technical visits and short-term training programmes in China.
“I have already reported to my boss and obtained permission to invite Indonesian technicians to visit China to observe developments in Chinese agriculture and participate in short-term courses there,” he added.
CNRRI itself is a national research institution in China focusing on rice research, from breeding superior varieties to cultivation technologies and improving productivity and rice quality. The institution’s mission is to develop innovations in rice science and technology to support food security and the sustainable advancement of the rice industry globally.