National Strategic Projects and New Hope for the Papua Highlands in the National Development Map
By: Yohanas Karoba ) *
The acceleration of National Strategic Projects (PSN) in Papua is not merely an agenda of physical development, but a tangible manifestation of the state’s commitment to delivering social and economic justice for all Indonesians. For decades, interregional disparities have remained a major challenge in national development, and Papua has often been perceived as lagging behind due to limited access, inadequate infrastructure, and constrained economic opportunities.
PSN emerges as a strategic answer to address these challenges in a systematic, sustainable, and people-centered manner. In the Papua Highlands, the project focuses on the food sector, as it aligns closely with the region’s characteristics and the real needs of its people.
The food sector serves as a crucial entry point for building local economic self-reliance. The government understands that food security is not solely about the availability of food, but also about social stability, regional independence, and human dignity. In the highlands of Papua, agriculture is not merely an economic activity, but an integral part of cultural identity. Therefore, PSN policies that revive food production centers represent a strategic step that connects modern development with local traditions.
Deputy Governor of the Papua Highlands, Ones Pahabol, has assessed that the Tulem area in Witawaya District, Jayawijaya Regency, holds a strategic position as the center of Wamena City’s economic activities, making it well suited to be developed as a new food production hub under the PSN framework.
The Papua Highlands Provincial Government has ensured the acceleration of land clearing for 800 hectares of rice fields in the area, with a medium-term target of approximately 2,000 hectares spread across several districts. According to Pahabol, this policy is rooted in historical awareness that around six decades ago, Wamena was once known as one of Papua’s rice-producing regions.
Reviving this collective memory is not merely an exercise in nostalgia, but an effort to build renewed optimism that the Papua Highlands can stand on their own feet in terms of food security. The government, as emphasized by Pahabol, positions itself as a facilitator that manages land for the common good, not for political agendas or the interests of particular groups.
Support for PSN has also been expressed by the Head of the Papua Highlands Agriculture Office, Petrus Wenda, who views the project as providing budget certainty, technical assistance, and program continuity. This perspective is critical, as development initiatives often fail not due to a lack of good intentions, but because of the absence of sustained policy implementation.
PSN is designed as a long-term investment, not a short-lived project. Under this approach, communities do not merely receive benefits in the form of infrastructure, but also gain knowledge transfer, skill enhancement, and more stable economic opportunities. In the context of the Papua Highlands, such sustainability is the key to ensuring that development does not end at ceremonial milestones, but truly transforms the quality of life of residents.
The economic impact of PSN extends beyond food production alone. Land clearing, rice field management, and the distribution of harvests generate significant multiplier effects. Local labor is absorbed, including young Papuans who have long faced limited employment options. By being directly involved in productive projects, young people not only earn income, but also gain experience, skills, and self-confidence. In the long term, this contributes to the formation of a new, independent, and productive middle class in the Papua Highlands—an essential foundation for social stability.
Furthermore, PSN in the Papua Highlands cannot be separated from the broader framework of President Prabowo Subianto’s Asta Cita. Local governments have openly expressed their commitment to implementing these eight core missions as a guide for development over the next five years. According to Ones Pahabol, Asta Cita embodies strategic values that must be implemented by all regional leaders, ranging from strengthening Pancasila ideology, democracy, and human rights, to achieving national self-reliance through food and energy self-sufficiency. In this context, PSN is not a stand-alone policy, but part of a national orchestration to strengthen national resilience from the grassroots.
The Asta Cita mission also emphasizes the creation of quality jobs, the growth of entrepreneurship, infrastructure development, and the enhancement of human resources. All of these elements find strong relevance in the Papua Highlands, where geographical challenges often hinder access to education, healthcare, and economic connectivity. Local governments prioritize these sectors because they recognize that development cannot rely solely on concrete and asphalt, but must address human dimensions. The ultimate goal is to cultivate a generation of young people in the Papua Highlands who possess cross-sectoral skills, are competitive, and are ready to advance their own region.
Within this framework, the prudent utilization of land and forest resources presents significant opportunities. The Papua Highlands possess vast and rich landscapes that have yet to be optimally managed. Through PSN, the government encourages the use of land for agriculture, plantations, and freshwater aquaculture, guided by principles of sustainability and community empowerment. This approach is essential to ensure that development does not damage the environment or marginalize local residents, but instead strengthens their role as key actors in development.
Support for PSN in Papua is not about political alignment, but about alignment with the future. Food security, economic self-reliance, improved human resource quality, and strengthened local identity are interconnected elements. When PSN is implemented consistently, transparently, and with a people-oriented approach, the Papua Highlands will not only become more prosperous, but will also stand as an example of how national development can proceed in an inclusive manner.
*) Public Policy and Regional Autonomy Analyst
