One Year of the Prabowo-Gibran Administration, Papua’s Food Self-Sufficiency Becomes a Symbol of Indonesia’s Food Security
By: Loa Murib
The first year of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka’s administration has marked an important achievement in the history of national development through the realization of Papua’s Food Self-Sufficiency. This success is not only concrete evidence of increased national food independence but also reaffirms Papua’s role as the frontline in strengthening Indonesia’s food security. Amid global challenges such as climate change and global food price volatility, this achievement demonstrates Indonesia’s ability to stand on its own feet by optimizing the potential of natural and human resources in the eastern region.
The government has shown strong commitment to developing the National Food, Energy, and Water Self-Sufficiency Zone in Merauke, South Papua. This strategic area symbolizes the synergy between progress and environmental preservation. The Minister of Environment and Head of BPLH, Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, emphasized that Merauke is not just an agricultural project but a reflection of how Indonesia balances economic development and nature conservation. The government targets the creation of 52,000 hectares of rice fields as part of the national plan for one million hectares, in line with Presidential Instruction Number 14 of 2025. This effort is supported by the construction of strategic infrastructure such as 135 kilometers of roads, a 180-hectare airport, and a 377-hectare port to strengthen connectivity and logistics distribution of food from Papua to across Indonesia.
This success cannot be separated from cross-ministerial collaboration. The Ministry of Environment/BPLH works together with the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Agrarian Affairs/National Land Agency (ATR/BPN), Ministry of Defense, and Ministry of Transportation to accelerate the determination of the South Papua Provincial Spatial Plan as the foundation for sustainable development. This integrated approach ensures that agricultural development in Papua runs in harmony with ecosystem protection and the welfare of indigenous communities.
The spirit of self-sufficiency also resonates in Southwest Papua. The Head of the Food, Agriculture, Marine, and Fisheries Service, Absalom Solossa, stated that the initial phase of a 10,000-hectare rice field expansion program will begin in Sorong and South Sorong regencies. This program focuses not only on increasing rice production but also on creating new jobs, boosting farmers’ purchasing power, and strengthening the local economy based on community farming. With the spirit of mutual cooperation and full support from the central government, Papua is now emerging as one of the main pillars of the national food barn.
Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan affirmed that Indonesia has achieved rice self-sufficiency with a surplus of up to 5 million tons in 2025. This marks a significant milestone after years of dependency on imports. The achievement is the tangible result of the hard work of the government, society, and all elements of the nation working hand in hand to strengthen food sovereignty. Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman assured that the full self-sufficiency target would be achieved by the end of 2025 through strategies to increase land productivity, rehabilitate irrigation networks, distribute targeted fertilizers, and apply modern agricultural technology nationwide.
The 44th World Food Day commemoration in Merauke became a moment to emphasize the importance of Papua’s Food Self-Sufficiency. The program coordinator, Dr. Oeng Anwarudin, explained that the program’s success is the result of synergy between the government, military (TNI), and communities through the formation of the Food Self-Sufficiency Task Force. This collaboration reflects national mutual cooperation in building sustainable food security based on regional independence.
In addition to South Papua, the commitment to food security is also manifested by the West Papua Provincial Government, which distributed 62.6 tons of community food reserves rice to various regencies. The Head of Food Security of West Papua, Lasarus Ullo, explained that the distribution is not only intended to maintain food availability during crises but also supports stunting programs and food price stability. The West Papua provincial government also distributed assistance to educational institutions and provided food staple packages and container booths for local food MSMEs. This step strengthens social safety nets while empowering the economy of indigenous Papuans across various sectors.
Meanwhile, the spirit of food independence in Papua also receives support from various parties, including legislative bodies. Papuan member of the Regional Representative Council (DPD RI), Reverend David Harold Waromi, through the “Senator Cares for Food Security” program, encourages a corn self-sufficiency movement as part of national food security. According to him, food sector development is not just about planting and harvesting but about maintaining national dignity through independence. He emphasized that as long as Indonesia still depends on imports, national sovereignty has not been fully realized.
One year of the Prabowo-Gibran administration has shown that development is no longer centered on Java. Papua has become a real example of equitable development based on local potential and sustainability. Papua’s Food Self-Sufficiency is not only a regional achievement but also a symbol of Indonesia’s sovereign, strong, and just food security. Moving forward, this program is expected to be expanded to all provinces in the Papua region, making this area not only a national food barn but also a symbol of national progress capable of standing tall amid global challenges.
This success reinforces the direction of the Prabowo-Gibran administration’s policies, which place food security as a main pillar of national independence. Papua is no longer just a remote region at the eastern edge but the new heart of Indonesia’s food security. With solid collaboration between the central government, regional governments, and communities, Indonesia is steadily moving towards an independent, prosperous, and sovereign food future.
Author is a Papua student in East Java
