Indonesia targets food self-sufficiency in Papua within three years
Indonesia aims to achieve food self-sufficiency in Papua within three years by expanding rice fields and boosting local staples like sago. Papua needs 660,000 tonnes of rice annually but produces only 120,000. Government plans 100,000 hectares of new fields and reviving a sago factory in Sorong to support food security.
Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Indonesian government aims to achieve food self-sufficiency in Papua within the next three years, Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman said on Tuesday.
The target will be pursued through the development of new rice fields and the optimization of local staple food production, particularly sago, he told a press conference in Jakarta.
“We will realize food self-sufficiency in Papua within three years at the latest. If possible, we can complete it within two years,” Sulaiman said.
He noted that Papua’s annual rice demand stands at around 660,000 tons, while local production is estimated at about 120,000 tons, leaving a shortfall of approximately 500,000 tons.
“To cover the deficit, around 100,000 hectares of rice fields are needed. These have been allocated across South Papua, Papua, and West Papua, with six provinces requesting similar development,” he said.
The government also plans to revitalize the sago industry, a key food commodity in Papua, including reactivating a sago factory in Sorong, Southwest Papua, according to the minister.
“We will complete the work in Sorong. The factory has been built and now needs to be reactivated,” he added.
Sulaiman said the government is seeking to achieve food self-sufficiency across all regions as a long-term solution to supply stability and inflation control.
“Kalimantan, Sulawesi, and Sumatra are already self-sufficient, while Java has a surplus. Our goal is nationwide food self-sufficiency as a permanent solution to inflation,” he said.
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Source : Antara News
