By: Yohanes Wandikbo )*
The acceleration of National Strategic Projects (PSN) across Papua reflects an increasingly measured, inclusive, and welfare-oriented development policy. From the highlands to the southern regions, PSN is not merely interpreted as a series of physical projects, but as a state instrument to stimulate local economies, strengthen food security, and establish the foundations of effective regional governance. This approach underscores the government’s seriousness in ensuring that Papua becomes an integral part of a sustainable national development agenda.
In the Papua Highlands, PSN in the food sector stands as clear evidence of policy alignment with the basic needs of the community. Large-scale rice field development in Jayawijaya is designed to revive farming traditions that once made Wamena a rice granary for the highland region. Deputy Governor of Papua Highlands Ones Pahabol considers the Tulem area in Witawaya District to hold a strategic position as the heart of Wamena’s economic activity, making it suitable to be designated as a new food production center and included in PSN. This assessment is based on land readiness, accessibility, and the potential for wide-ranging economic impacts across eight regencies in the Papua Highlands.
Plans to develop approximately 2,000 hectares of rice fields across several districts demonstrate the seriousness of this intervention. The program does not stand alone, but is integrated with the strengthening of farmer groups, accelerated planting, and post-harvest management. Ones Pahabol views this initiative as part of the government’s commitment to rekindling the farming spirit of highland communities, which historically possessed strong production capacity. Through this approach, PSN is expected not only to meet local rice needs, but also to contribute to national food security.
Social sustainability is a central concern. The regional government has emphasized that land use is carried out through a loan-for-use scheme while continuing to respect the ownership rights of indigenous communities. Ones Pahabol stressed that the program is purely intended for the economic benefit of the people and does not carry political interests. This clarification is important for building public trust and ensuring that the benefits of PSN are directly felt by local residents without compromising land rights.
The secondary economic impacts of the food-related PSN in the Papua Highlands are also significant. Land-clearing activities absorb local labor and open opportunities for young people to participate as heavy equipment operators and field workers. Ones Pahabol sees the involvement of local youth as a long-term social investment, as the skills they acquire can be transferred to other regencies across the Papua Highlands. In this way, PSN functions as a catalyst for enhancing human resource capacity while simultaneously driving local economic growth.
Meanwhile, in South Papua, PSN is positioned as a solution to regional fiscal constraints in developing representative government infrastructure. The proposal of 28 regional programs to be financed through the PSN scheme reflects the real need for central government support to accelerate spatial and institutional development. Governor of South Papua Apolo Safanpo explained that these programs represent regional priorities proposed as national strategic initiatives to secure adequate funding support.
One of the main focuses is the development of the Salor Integrated Independent City area as a new government center. Plans to construct 22 offices for regional government organizations in this area are considered crucial for improving the quality of public services. Apolo Safanpo noted that limited regional budget capacity makes PSN support a rational choice to ensure development proceeds on time and meets required standards. With centralized and modern government infrastructure, bureaucratic effectiveness is expected to improve, ultimately enhancing the quality of services delivered to the public.
The synergy between the central and regional governments through PSN in Papua illustrates a development model that is adaptive to regional characteristics. In the highlands, PSN addresses food needs and job creation. In the southern region, PSN strengthens governance structures and accelerates regional development. Both approaches complement each other within the broader framework of equitable development and reducing interregional disparities.
The success of PSN in Papua is also supported by a principle of measured acceleration. Regional governments encourage swift land preparation and planting processes so that economic benefits can be felt quickly by communities. Ones Pahabol emphasized that speed of implementation is key to ensuring people experience tangible impacts, rather than seeing projects remain mere plans on paper. A similar principle is evident in South Papua, where the accelerated construction of regional government offices is viewed as essential for consolidating public services.
Overall, PSN in Papua reflects a development approach that is increasingly inclusive and results-oriented. Supportive policies from the central government, combined with regional leadership that understands local needs, form a strong foundation for accelerating welfare improvements. By respecting community rights, strengthening local economies, and organizing government infrastructure, PSN has the potential to become a major milestone in Papua’s transformation toward a more self-reliant and prosperous future.
The continuity of PSN in Papua reflects strong optimism that well-planned and well-directed development can deliver tangible benefits to society. With solid synergy between the central government, regional administrations, and local communities, PSN serves as a driver of progress that strengthens the economy, improves the quality of public services, and builds trust in the direction of national development. This success affirms Papua’s strategic role in Indonesia’s broader agenda, while demonstrating that consistently implemented government policies are capable of delivering more equitable and just welfare outcomes.
)* The author is an observer of Papuan development