Farmers in Papua are very thankful and appreciate the program from State Intelligence Service (BIN) because it helps them excel in their products and welfare. BIN is responsible for developing Papua so the region can achieve equitable development.
In order to do its job well, BIN entrusted Papua Muda Inspiratif (PMI) as its executive representative. The inauguration of the Papua Youth Creative Hub in March 2023 has opened a wider way for BIN and PMI to maximize Papuan agriculture potential.
Thus, they start the program in order to help farmers reach their best potential harvest while providing them with knowledge and technology. Therefore, the farmers appreciate their efforts and assistance due to all the outcomes they attain.
Agriculture Potential in Papua
PYCH is available to help improve Papuan human resources by training young Papuan with respective skills and talents. Among the many programs brought by PYCh is helping farmers cultivate their land effectively to get a maximum outcome.
Here is the agriculture program from BIN and PMI:
1. Freshwater Fish Farming
Besides Papua marine products, BIN and PMi also establish freshwater fish farming to meet the market need and help improve the farmers’ welfare. They use the Keranjang Jaring Apung (KJA) or floating cages to maximize the harvest.
The farming, which is located in Danau Sentani, Heram District, is successful due to their harvest. The farmers increase their target sales from 500 Kg per month to 1 ton due to their farming success.
PYCH has a big role in this farming because it helps the farmers to market their huge numbers of the harvest throughout Papua.
2. Fish Farming by Using A Biofloc Technology
Papua Muda Inspiratif and BIN also implement the biofloc system for fish farming in order to help increase the product’s quality and quantities. A biofloc system is where the farmer enhances the water quality by aerating the water in order to meet the required oxygen.
This system also recycles waste nutrients and cultured microorganisms as fish food so farmers have a sufficient food supply. PMI and BIN started the program with 20 young farmers in Kampung Nolokia, Sentani Timur District, to achieve the region’s best result.
There are 8 fishponds with a capacity of 1,000 tilapia fish for each pond. However, the farmers also want to farm catfish, where there are 4,000 fish within a pond.
They recruited these 20 young Papuan to lower the area’s unemployment while helping improve the community’s welfare.
3. Cornfield Plantation
The government needs to improve Papua plantation products in order to help increase food stability and improve community welfare. The program initiated by PMI and BIN provides farmers with approximately 20 hectares of cornfield plantation.
However, there are more than 50 hectares of land to cultivate in the future in order to achieve their target.
The plantations are scattered throughout Papua, for example, in Kampung Kwadeware, Kampung Doyo Lama, Kampung Yakasib, and more. In the District Namblong, they can harvest 8 – 10 tons of corn per hectare. BIN facilitates sales in order to help the farmers deal with their harvests.
4. Sago Processing
The government needs to increase not only the harvests but also the productivity of farmers in Indonesia, especially in Papua. Thus, they can reach their highest potential harvest while processing it effectively to achieve the best outcome.
PMI, through PYCH, provides sago farmers with sago processing machines in order to help farmers in Asei Kecil Village process their harvest.
With such a machine, they can produce 25 to 30 sacks containing 30 Kg of sago for each. The machine is very useful because it can process the harvest more efficiently both in time and effort.
Conclusion
No wonder Papuan farmers appreciate what BIN and PMI have done for them due to the remarkable outcome. Their harvest is increasing, their income is improving, their knowledge is updated, and they are gaining better welfare.
Hopefully, they can keep improving the program for farmers in Papua to participate in the region’s development.
