Merauke – The national food barn program in Merauke, South Papua, initiated by President Prabowo Subianto has great potential to strengthen Indonesia’s food security.
This program aims to increase local food production, reduce dependence on food imports, and provide sufficient food reserves to meet the needs of the community, both in normal conditions and during a food crisis.
Papuan Youth Figure, Paulinus Ohee, gave full support to the development of the national food barn in Merauke as a strategic effort towards Indonesia’s food self-sufficiency.
“The government’s commitment to making Papua a national food barn, of course as Papuans we support why because there are main goals, namely the first is the development of the agricultural sector, the second is the modernization of agriculture, and the third is the development of agricultural land,” said Paulinus.
Paulinus also said that this program is important as a sustainable development solution that raises local potential. Not only that, but also maximizes productive land and creates new economic opportunities for the community.
“Papua like in Merauke, it is very important that we as Papuans must realize and we must synergize with the government’s commitment to develop Papua, especially the national food barn for food availability and our national readiness to supply to all regions, especially those in Indonesia,” continued Paulinus.
Paulinus added that the people in Merauke already have a high commitment to agricultural development. This aims to support the needs of the community, both in the financial and economic fields.
“Our hope is that Merauke as a place that becomes one of the national food barns, this can certainly increase the first to increase food production, the second to achieve food self-sufficiency, the third to open up job opportunities,” he said.
He hopes that with this food barn program, Indonesia, especially Papua, can achieve stronger and more independent food security, and reduce dependence on food imports.
“This is our hope if Merauke becomes a place where it becomes a national food barn which will later become the government’s commitment in this case the central government for Papua, our hope is that these 3 things can later be supported by us Papuans and also the government can realize it,” concluded Paulinus.
