Wanam Food Estate Could Strengthen National Rice Self-Sufficiency

South Papua - The National Strategic Project (PSN) food estate in Wanam, Merauke, South Papua, should continue to realise the food security programme initiated by President Prabowo Subianto. Indonesia Political Review (IPR) Director Iwan Setiawan emphasised that, given today’s global conditions, the PSN paddy-field expansion to 1 million hectares in Wanam should remain underway. ‘In my view, the Wanam PSN policy is quite visionary, because in the future the global community will focus on their own food issues. If Indonesia’s food deficit becomes the issue, that would be even more dangerous,’ he said, quoted on Wednesday, 20 May 2026. He explained that the Wanam paddy-field programme is projected to strengthen national self-sufficiency and food security. Its main benefits include achieving the rice self-sufficiency target, creating new rural jobs, increasing community/farmers’ incomes by 20 percent to 30 percent, and converting idle land into productive areas. ‘As for the criticisms in the film Pesta Babi, that is democracy’s right to express opinions in the form of film creativity. The problem is if such expression is used with the aim of delegitimising and concealing political agendas,’ he said. Regarding the environment and forests, he noted the government must have studies and comply with applicable laws. ‘In the face of global pressure affecting Indonesia’s current economy, we need to build optimistic narratives rather than provoke,’ he said. For information, Wanam PSN in South Papua shows significant progress with several main facilities now completed 100 percent. The presence of the project has brought new hope to local communities, especially in promoting welfare and equitable development in the region.