By : Rebecca Marian )*
The issue of food security does require concrete action, not wanting to be silent about empty land, young people who are members of the Inspiring Young Papua (PMI) are planting corn on land that was previously dead in the Kebar valley, East Kebar District, Tambrauw Regency, West Papua Province.
The corn planting aims to improve the welfare of the people in Papua, especially in Kebar, West Papua.
It is recorded that there are around 200 hectares of vacant land owned by residents who have been entrusted to PMI to be managed properly. PMI has succeeded in collaborating with investors to participate in supporting the planting of corn on the land.
PMI itself is under the guidance of the State Intelligence Agency (BIN), then cooperates with the company PT Nuansa Lestari Sejahtera to participate in supporting the planting of corn so that the management and yields are maximized.
In the plan, 30% of the 200 hectares of land will be made for supporting infrastructure for planting corn, such as making ponds and irrigation canals. Meanwhile, the remaining 120 hectares are allocated for planting corn.
PMI Tambrauw Regency Agriculture Sector Head, Daud Amnan emphasized that planting corn can directly reduce unemployment in the East Kebar District area, as well as increase residents’ income. This is in line with Presidential Instruction Number 09 of 2020 concerning the Acceleration of Welfare in Papua and West Papua.
He said that the company would employ residents in processing corn fields with residents who worked would be given a salary. Meanwhile, the corn harvest will be provided with a profit-sharing system with the land owner.
Daud was also grateful for the support of all parties in the various programs rolled out by PMI for the people of Papua.
On a different occasion, PMI Assisted Farmers harvested corn in Yakasib Village, Namblong District, Jayapura Regency, Papua Province. Corn is harvested in an area of 10 hectares and produces 8 to 10 tons of corn per hectare.
PMI Coordinator, Namblong District, Kab. Jayapura, Ones Sem in his written statement said that farmers were often confused about selling their corn crops.
Ones said that farmers in his area were hesitant to plant corn, but after the PMI came, they said they would buy their corn products, the farmers said they were happy and no longer worried about where the corn should be sold.
Ones revealed that there are 300 hectares of potential agricultural land in the Namblong District. There are 50 hectares of potential land for planting corn, of which 10 hectares have already been planted with corn. This is done as an effort to empower the community.
This program is of course in line with the direction of the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Ir. Joko Widodo, Head of BIN, Police General (Purn) Budi Gunawan and followed up by Deputy IV for Economic Intelligence at BIN, Made Kartikajaya.
He admits that he is grateful to have become part of PMI, because he is part of the Papuan youth who have the determination and will for the people of the Land of Papua to prosper.
On a different occasion, PMI Secretary for Jayapura Regency, Mulyono also owns a feed factory and laying hens in the Hinekombe District, Jayapura Regency. The factory, which was founded about 5 months ago, is now a legal entity in the form of CV.
Currently the feed production capacity is around 7 tons per day with a selling price of around Rp. 7,900 per kilogram. According to Mulyono, the obstacle he is facing is the lack of raw materials for feed, which is 55 percent made from corn.
However, with PMI rolling out the corn planting program, all corn crops will be purchased and used as feed ingredients.
Meanwhile, a corn farmer, Mama Agustina Marweri, said she was happy with the attention on welfare from PMI and BIN for people in Papua. He admitted that he was ready to manage the corn field.
The Regional Secretary of the Papua Province, M. Ridwan Ruusukun, revealed that the Papua Provincial Government will support corn processing driven by PMI and BIN for the welfare of the people. According to him, the Papua Provincial Government will provide assistance in the form of building a fence on the corn field, as well as basic food for the community and other assistance related to agriculture.
He also thanked Deputy IV for Economic Intelligence at BIN, I Gde Made Kartikajaya and his staff who were willing to go directly to fostering people in Papua.
The corn planting movement initiated by PMI is of course expected to be able to increase the enthusiasm of millennial farmers to empower existing land. Moreover, PMI is trying to foster millennial farmers who are able to take advantage of technology, cultivation, as well as marketing and processing of land so that it is hoped that this can be supported by regional governments.
Through PMI’s movement, it is hoped that the young generation of Papua can implement their potential and creative ideas in supporting the realization of people’s welfare on Cenderawasih Earth. In addition, PMI is expected to become a youth group that is able to improve skills in managing agricultural land.
)* The author is a Papuan student living in Jakarta