Documentary Film 'Wanam' Highlights Papua's Future Through Food Security

The Wardhana Nawasena Network Foundation launched a documentary film titled ‘Wanam: Planting the Future in Papua’ at an event in Blok M, South Jakarta, on Thursday. The film tells the story of the transformation of the Wanam area in Merauke Regency, South Papua, which is projected to become a centre for national food security development. Former Head of the Pancasila Ideology Development Agency (BPIP) Yudi Latif, who attended the film’s launch, said Papua holds significant historical, ecological, and geopolitical value for Indonesia and the world. Papua’s biological wealth and natural resources are strategic assets that must be managed wisely. ‘Papua has extraordinary natural wealth and is the focus of global attention. The uniqueness of its flora, fauna, and resource potential is an important part of Indonesia’s future,’ Yudi said in a written statement. Meanwhile, Dean Ramella, a trustee of the Wardhana Nawasena Network Foundation, highlighted the significant influence of social media in shaping public perception of various national strategic issues. He noted that the development of information technology presents both opportunities and challenges for society in filtering information. He said that Indonesia’s aspirations to achieve food self-sufficiency, energy self-sufficiency, and technological mastery will always face various dynamics, including the emergence of narratives developing in the digital space. ‘When Indonesia seeks to realise independence through food and energy self-sufficiency, there will always be challenges. Therefore, the public needs to have the ability to sort information so as not to be easily influenced by unverified narratives,’ he said. Dean stated that social media has now become a battleground of information capable of rapidly shaping public opinion. Therefore, the public is expected to be increasingly critical in receiving any circulating information. The film chronicles the major changes occurring in the Ilwayab District, Merauke Regency, South Papua. The area, previously known as a stretch of swamps, wetlands, and a region with limited transportation access, is now developing into a strategic area for national food development. The documentary depicts how development was carried out through the opening of road access, construction of irrigation systems, drainage management, and the application of modern agricultural technology adapted to the characteristics of the wetlands. This transformation is part of a national food estate development programme included in the National Strategic Projects (PSN), aimed at strengthening Indonesia’s food security amidst increasing food demand, climate change, and global geopolitical challenges. The film also shows the lengthy development process involving various elements, from technical personnel and field workers to the central government, regional governments, and local communities. In addition to showcasing agricultural infrastructure development, the documentary highlights the involvement of indigenous peoples and local residents in the development process of the Wanam area. Various job opportunities have opened up through the construction of production roads, land processing, and other supporting service sectors. The community’s economic activity has gradually increased as the area develops. The film emphasises that development is not only oriented towards increasing food production but is also expected to create community welfare, open employment opportunities, expand access to education and health services, while preserving Papuan cultural values and local wisdom. The documentary reaches its peak when showing the rice harvest in the Wanam area in 2025. This moment is depicted as a symbol of the successful transformation of a swamp area into productive agricultural land through planned management. For the local community, the harvest is not merely a production result but a symbol of the birth of new hope for the economic future, job opportunities, and sustainable development in Papua. Through this film, the Wardhana Nawasena Network Foundation hopes the public will gain a more complete picture of the development dynamics in Papua while increasing awareness of the importance of digital literacy and responsible use of social media. The documentary also invites the public to see Papua not just as a region with vast natural wealth, but as an important part of Indonesia’s future food security and development.