By: Gavin Asadit )*
The government of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka has demonstrated a strong commitment to improving the welfare of the Papuan people through various strategic initiatives covering the agriculture, education, health, and infrastructure sectors. One significant step is the development of a national food barn in Merauke, Papua.
This program aims to utilize fertile land in the region to increase national food production and support food security. President Prabowo is targeting the development of three million hectares of agricultural land throughout Indonesia, with one million hectares of which are located in Merauke. This project is expected to increase rice production by up to 20 million tons of unhusked rice or 10 million tons of milled rice.
President Prabowo directly reviewed the progress of this project in November 2024 and emphasized the importance of using modern technology in the agricultural process. The use of tools such as combine harvesters is expected to make it easier for farmers to harvest rice and increase agricultural productivity. This step is not only a solution to the challenge of food security, but also creates new economic opportunities for the local community.
President Prabowo Subianto’s visit to Merauke received appreciation from various parties, one of which was the South Papua People’s Assembly (MRPS). The Chairman of MRPS, Damianus Katayu, said that his party appreciated President Prabowo who had visited Merauke to improve the welfare of the community. Furthermore, he hoped that President Prabowo could have a dialogue with indigenous Papuans (OAP) regarding many things, especially development.
In addition to focusing on the agricultural sector, the government has launched an ambitious program to provide free food for more than 80 million students and pregnant women throughout Indonesia, including in Papua. This program aims to address the problem of malnutrition and stunting in children. Each meal is designed to contain a portion of rice, protein, vegetables, and fruit with a budget of IDR 10,000 per portion.
Director of CELIOS (Center of Economic and Law Studies), Bhima Yudhistira said that the program not only provides nutrition to the younger generation, but also supports community-based economic growth. Local farmers in Papua will benefit greatly. This initiative is expected to encourage local economic growth by utilizing local resources and creating more than one million new jobs.
Not only in the food sector, the government’s attention is also directed at education. Papua has had a lower school participation rate compared to other regions in Indonesia. Based on data from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, in 2023, the school participation rate in Papua for junior high school level will only reach 77%, lower than the national average of 90%. The government is committed to increasing this figure through a scholarship assistance program for indigenous Papuan children, the provision of teachers in remote areas, and the construction of new schools equipped with modern learning facilities.
Chairman of Committee III of the Regional Representative Council (DPD) of the Republic of Indonesia, Filep Wamafma, appreciated the government’s policy of prioritizing the use of the 2025 State Budget (APBN) to advance the education sector, including the allocation of the teacher welfare budget will increase to IDR 81.6 trillion, an increase of IDR 16.7 trillion compared to the previous year. His party also supports President Prabowo Subianto’s steps in improving teacher welfare as a pillar determining the quality of education in Indonesia.
The government has also launched a health program targeting remote areas in Papua by sending medical personnel and establishing community health centers (Puskesmas) in the interior. One of the main challenges is the high maternal and child mortality rate in Papua, which is still the highest in Indonesia. Programs such as “Flying Doctors” were launched to ensure that health services can reach all areas.
Based on data from the Papua Central Statistics Agency (BPS), the publication “Papua People’s Welfare Statistics 2024” presents various indicators from various aspects of welfare, such as population demographic information, education, health, and others. This data is important for understanding current conditions and as a basis for formulating targeted policies to improve the welfare of the Papuan people.
The Prabowo-Gibran government has shown a strong commitment to improving the welfare of the Papuan people through various strategic programs in the agriculture, education, health, and infrastructure sectors. However, challenges such as low access to basic infrastructure and concerns related to the transmigration program need to be addressed wisely and participatively. With an inclusive and sustainable approach, it is hoped that the welfare of the Papuan people can increaseat significantly, in line with the vision of equitable development throughout Indonesia.
The strategic steps taken by the Prabowo-Gibran government to advance Papua are worthy of appreciation. The commitment to building infrastructure, improving community welfare, and empowering local resources shows that Papua is a priority in the vision of equitable national development.
With an inclusive and sustainable approach, the hope of seeing Papua advanced, prosperous, and empowered is no longer just a dream, but a reality that can be achieved together. The government deserves appreciation for the real efforts that have been made, while continuing to involve the Papuan people in every development process that exists.
)* The author is an observer of social and community issues
