The Government Promotes Papua’s Economic Independence Through Social Assistance and Skills Training
Merauke – The government, through various central and regional programs, continues to provide assistance to promote economic independence for the Papuan people. From freshwater fish feed assistance and support for community kiosks, to skills training for women, all these efforts are aimed at strengthening food security, creating new business opportunities, and increasing family incomes in various regions of Papua.
In South Papua, the Provincial Government through the Department of Agriculture, Food, Maritime Affairs, and Fisheries distributed farmed fish feed assistance to groups of Indigenous Papuan (OAP) freshwater fish farmers to improve family economies and support food security.
The Head of the South Papua Agriculture, Food, Maritime Affairs, and Fisheries Service, Paino, said that the assistance came from the 2025 Special Autonomy Fund (Otsus).
“This assistance in providing farmed fish feed is part of the program to improve the economy of the Indigenous Papuan community, while also supporting food availability through freshwater fish farming,” he said in Merauke, Sunday (5/10).
The Head of the Mina Ottow PKB GKI Ottow Merauke Fish Farming Group, Alex Womsiwor, revealed the benefits of the assistance in increasing production and income of local farmers.
“This assistance is very helpful for us because it reduces the cost of purchasing feed, which we have been carrying out ourselves. This will increase the group’s income and enable our business to run more sustainably,” he said.
Meanwhile, in Nduga Regency, the central government is distributing merchandise to fill community kiosks in Koteka Village, Kenyam District. This assistance is the final stage in establishing a community kiosk business, providing initial capital for independent kiosk management.
Nduga community leader Elimus Wandikbo expressed his gratitude for the government’s support. This assistance isn’t just about goods, but also about hope.
“As representatives of the Nduga Tribe, we are very grateful. Now we have a place to trade and live more independently,” he said.
In Sorong, Southwest Papua, dozens of Moi women participated in culinary training held by the Kwongke Kaban Salukh Moi Aimas Branch to improve their small business skills. This program aligns with President Prabowo’s Asta Cita (Asta Cita), which prioritizes developing superior human resources, strengthening the people’s economy, and empowering women.
“Moi women must have skills, not only for their families, but also to increase their income. From Christmas cakes, small businesses can emerge to support the household economy,” said Moi women’s figurehead Sarlota Mobalen Malagam.
These various initiatives demonstrate the government’s commitment to strengthening the economic independence of the Papuan people from the grassroots level through concrete steps that address daily needs.
