Warmare set to become first matoa dodol village in West Papua

Manokwari (ANTARA) - The Patriot Expedition Team from Airlangga University (Unair) Surabaya, together with dozens of women from the Arfak tribe, is preparing Warmare District in Manokwari Regency to become the first Matoa Dodol Village in West Papua Province.

Unair Surabaya lecturer Zamal Nasution said in an official statement in Manokwari on Monday that training and mentoring to create food and beverage creations made from matoa fruit has been taking place since 5–15 August 2026.

“Training and mentoring in making matoa dodol and other derivative products is carried out every afternoon after the Arfak tribal women finish their gardening activities,” said Zamal.

According to him, the skills transfer process went smoothly because the Arfak women had previously mastered the technique of making papeda, which in principle has a thick and chewy texture similar to dodol and jam.

All participants succeeded in creating a number of processed matoa product variations, such as soft-textured dodol, jam combined with pineapple, ice cream, crispy sticks, processed nuts, matoa herbal tea, and matoa sambal with a sweet and spicy flavour.

“The similarity of the process made it easier for them to learn the new product processing techniques,” he said.

In the long term, he said, the residents’ skills are projected to become the foundation for establishing an SME hub for the Matoa Dodol Village in Warmare, strengthening matoa’s position as a distinctive processed food commodity of West Papua.

The programme not only has the potential to improve family economies but is also directed at supporting children’s nutritional fulfilment as an alternative healthy food, while reducing consumption of ultra-processed foods.

“The habit of consuming healthy locally based foods is expected to sustainably reduce stunting and malnutrition rates in West Papua,” he said.

According to him, the collaboration between the Unair Patriot Expedition Team and the Arfak tribal women in Warmare District demonstrates that the establishment of a new economic hub, children’s nutritional fulfilment, and food security can be achieved simultaneously.

“We hope this programme can provide long-term benefits through the utilisation of natural resource wealth and local wisdom,” said Zamal.