Papua Highlands Prepared as New Food Production Centre

The Ministry of Agriculture is accelerating a programme to develop 2,000 hectares of rice fields in the Papua Highlands by 2026. This programme is intended to strengthen food security in the eastern region of Indonesia while supporting national food self-sufficiency. A total of 1,910 hectares of new rice fields will be developed this year, following the government’s completion of 90 hectares of paddy fields in the area. Director General of Agricultural Land and Irrigation at the Ministry of Agriculture, Hermanto, stated that developing rice fields in the Papua Highlands is a strategic step to open a new food production centre while improving community welfare. “I see the extraordinary enthusiasm of the mothers and brothers here to manage the rice fields. This government rice field printing programme is essentially from the community for the community,” Hermanto said. The programme was marked by the inaugural rice planting in Perabaga Village, Piramid District, Jayawijaya Regency. According to Hermanto, all stages of implementation involve indigenous communities and respect customary land rights. “There is no seizure or takeover of customary rights. Everything we do has been agreed upon by traditional leaders, indigenous communities, and all farmers,” Hermanto explained. He noted that this year’s development is a continuation of the 90 hectares of paddy fields that have already been completed. “Currently, only 90 hectares are finished. This year we will continue printing rice fields in the Papua Highlands covering 1,910 hectares. So, 90 plus 1,910, making 2,000 hectares we will complete in 2026,” he said. To support land productivity, the Ministry of Agriculture is also providing various assistance, including superior rice seeds, dolomite fertiliser, agricultural machinery, and fuel subsidies for farmers. “Specifically for the Papua Highlands, we are giving priority to developing its agriculture, especially food. That is why I have come here twice in a month. Perhaps I will come here often,” Hermanto added. He hopes the paddy fields that have been built can be utilised sustainably to increase food production and farmer welfare. Meanwhile, Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman said the development of new rice fields in Papua is an effort to realise food self-sufficiency across all regions of Indonesia. “Our dream is for every island in Indonesia to be food self-sufficient. That way, there will be no more need for inter-island food transportation. This is a permanent solution to address the problem of inflation,” Amran said.