Billy Mambrasar stated that the synergy between the MBG program and local MSMEs and cooperatives can create a more independent and resilient food ecosystem. This approach not only strengthens the supply chain but also opens up new economic opportunities for the Papuan people.
“Integration with local businesses is key to maintaining food supply stability while encouraging community-based economic growth,” he said.
According to Mambrasar, Papua has significant potential in the fisheries and livestock sectors, which can be optimized to meet the needs of the MBG program. By strengthening local production, the availability of nutritious food can be maintained sustainably while improving the welfare of local communities.
Furthermore, the development of supporting infrastructure, such as cold storage and food distribution centers, continues to be encouraged to improve distribution efficiency and quality. This step is considered capable of strengthening the logistics system in Papua, ensuring optimal food supply.
Billy also emphasized the importance of cross-sector collaboration in supporting the success of the national program. Coordination between the central and regional governments, as well as the involvement of various relevant ministries, is considered to further strengthen policy implementation on the ground.
“Cross-sector synergy will ensure continuity between the food, health, and economic sectors, so that the program’s benefits can be felt widely by the community,” he said.
Furthermore, the development of supporting industries such as local fertilizers and animal feed is also part of the broader strategy to strengthen Papua’s food self-sufficiency. This effort is believed to increase production efficiency while reducing dependence on supplies from outside the region.
With an affirmative approach and based on local potential, the implementation of the MBG program in Papua is considered to be showing increasingly encouraging progress. Strengthening the food ecosystem is not only the foundation for the success of the national program but also a key driver in accelerating economic development in eastern Indonesia.
Billy emphasized that with the support of all parties, Papua has a significant opportunity to become a successful example of integrating national programs with sustainable local strengths.