Papua Designated as Center of Indonesia’s Food Security Drive

RRI.CO.ID, Merauke - Indonesia is intensifying its push for national food self-sufficiency, with Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman leading a major program to develop 137,000 hectares of rice fields and optimized farmland in Papua.

The initiative, launched in Merauke, South Papua, on Saturday, July 4, 2026, combines modern farming technology -- including drone-assisted planting -- with strong community participation.

Minister Amran emphasized that the program is designed for the benefit of local communities, particularly indigenous Papuans.

“This program belongs to the people of Papua. It has already increased incomes by up to 300 percent, and now communities are asking for more rice fields to be developed,” he said, as quoted by Antara.

Papua has been designated a priority zone for food production. By 2026, the government has developed 83,030 hectares of new rice fields and 54,399 hectares of optimized land across the region, with South Papua accounting for nearly 100,000 hectares -- making Merauke the backbone of food development in the province.

The program has already shown tangible results, with cropping indexes rising from 1.05 to as high as 2.00, and rice productivity steadily increasing. Farmers’ incomes have grown alongside expanded harvest areas, supported by modern equipment, improved seeds, irrigation, and intensive training.

Minister Amran stressed that the government is building a modern agricultural ecosystem in Papua, ensuring farmers can operate advanced machinery and adopt practices used in developed countries.

He also coordinated with Pertamina to secure additional fuel supplies after reports of shortages, ensuring farming activities remain uninterrupted.

South Papua Governor Apolo Safanpo affirmed Merauke’s role as the center of food development in the region. “More than half of Papua’s rice field program and almost all land optimization projects are in Merauke," he said.

"This shows Merauke is the backbone of food development in Papua,” he added, pledging full support for national strategic projects under President Prabowo Subianto’s agenda to strengthen food security.

The government envisions South Papua not only as a national rice hub but eventually as an exporter, reflecting Indonesia’s broader ambition to achieve sustainable food sovereignty. ***