Coordinating Minister for Food: Papua's Needs to Form Basis of Food Development Policy

Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan has emphasised that the needs of the Papuan people will form the basis for the central government’s policy-making regarding food sector development in the region. “We did not come to deliver programmes from the centre, but rather to hear what the region needs. Therefore, what Papua needs is what we will bring to the meeting with President Prabowo,” said Zulkifli Hasan after attending the Papua Region Food Regional Working Meeting in Jayapura on Tuesday. According to Zulkifli, his party wants regional governments to ensure that every policy implemented truly addresses the region’s needs so that food development programmes can provide optimal benefits for the community. “During the activity, we listened to the needs conveyed, including the acceleration of the rice field printing programme, provision of agricultural tools and machinery, operational trucks for the Koperasi Desa Merah Putih, and seedling assistance for the development of coconut and cocoa commodities,” he stated. “All of these proposals will become material for discussion in the meeting with the President as part of efforts to accelerate the development of food centre areas in Papua,” he added. He noted that the success of the food security programme in Papua requires synergy between the central government, regional governments, and the community, particularly farmers. “Success must be achieved together. There must be support from the regional government, the central government, and all parties so that this programme runs well,” he said.