WAMENA — The government continues to accelerate sustainable development in the Papua Highlands through National Strategic Projects (PSN) in the food sector. The program is designed not only to increase rice production, but also to build a stronger, more inclusive, and competitive regional economic foundation. Amid geographical challenges and limited access, PSN serves as a policy instrument that concretely addresses the basic needs of local communities.
One of the main focuses of PSN development is the Tulem area in Witawaya District, Jayawijaya Regency. In this area, the opening of 800 hectares of rice fields is currently underway and is projected to become a new food production center in the Papua Highlands. Its location near the center of community activities makes Tulem strategically important in supporting distribution and strengthening the local economy.
Deputy Governor of the Papua Highlands, Ones Pahabol, on January 9, 2026, emphasized that the development of the rice field area has been designed within an integrated medium- and long-term framework aligned with the national agenda. The overall target for rice fields in Jayawijaya Regency is set at around 2,000 hectares spread across several districts.
“We have directly observed the readiness of land clearing in Tulem and several other areas. Overall, Jayawijaya Regency is targeted to have around 2,000 hectares of rice fields spread across a number of districts, all of which are designed as part of the PSN,” Ones said.
Furthermore, the food-sector PSN in the Papua Highlands is also interpreted as an effort to revive Wamena’s historical potential as a rice production center in the highland region. This historical value serves as an important foundation for building optimism as well as ensuring the continuity of development based on local potential.
“Around sixty years ago, Wamena was a rice granary. That spirit is now being revived so that the Papua Highlands can have strong, independent, and sustainable rice stocks,” Ones added.
In its implementation, the local government ensures that the PSN approach continues to respect the rights of indigenous communities. The scheme applied is based on a loan-use arrangement, with land ownership remaining in the hands of local residents.
“This is purely for the public interest, with no political motives. The government only borrows the land for shared public purposes,” Ones stressed.
From a technical standpoint, the Head of the Papua Highlands Agriculture Office, Petrus Wenda, assessed that PSN provides clear direction for the development of the food sector. Budget certainty, technical assistance, and program continuity are the main strengths that distinguish PSN from conventional projects.
“PSN provides budget certainty, technical assistance, and program sustainability. This is not a short-term project, but a long-term investment in the welfare of the Papua Highlands community,” he said.
In addition to boosting food production, PSN also creates a multiplier economic effect through the absorption of local labor, including young people. Such involvement also serves as a means of enhancing human resource capacity.
“Young people are involved as heavy equipment operators and field workers. In the future, they can become skilled workers who support development in other regions,” Petrus added.
Going forward, the local government is targeting an accelerated planting process so that the benefits of PSN can be felt by the community as soon as possible. With a measured and collaborative approach, the food-sector PSN in the Papua Highlands is viewed as a strategic step toward building regional self-reliance while strengthening national food security in an equitable manner.