Vice President Gibran Visits Asmat Sago Field School, Supports Downstream Industry

Vice President Gibran Rakabuming visited the Keuskupan Agats Sago Field School in Yepem Village, Asmat Regency, South Papua, on Sunday to observe firsthand the development of sago as a regional flagship commodity aimed at generating economic value through downstream processing.

According to a statement from the Vice Presidential Secretariat in Jakarta, the Vice President received a briefing on various sago development efforts that have been underway for four years. The programme integrates cultural preservation, indigenous community empowerment, and the processing of sago derivative products to enhance economic benefits for local residents.

Anton, the person in charge of the Sago Field School, explained that this school has a different character compared to sago field schools in other regions. In Asmat, the focus is on strengthening the local economy based on the community’s culture.

‘The approach here is more about strengthening local aspects. For instance, in Meranti, the focus is on industrial-scale sago technology. Here, the discipline is local-scale, Mr Vice President. So, there will be more cultural approaches here, while also developing downstream processing,’ Anton said.

Currently, the Asmat Sago Field School area covers approximately six hectares and is managed through cooperation between the diocese and the local government.

In addition to serving as a centre for learning and sago development, the site is also intended to strengthen the processing of value-added sago derivative products for the community.

During the occasion, Anton also noted that the main challenge still faced is access to the location, which is a crucial factor in supporting the area’s development.

The Vice President’s visit to the Sago Field School is in line with President Prabowo Subianto’s directive to promote local food resources based on regional potential.

The development of sago in Asmat is considered to have a strategic role, not only in supporting food security but also in preserving cultural heritage and improving the welfare of indigenous communities through resource-based economic development.