On Tuesday, March 21, 2023, RI President Joko Widodo officially declared a food estate in Kampung Wambes, Mannem District, Keerom Regency, Papua, and planted the first corn there.
Stage-by-stage Land Planting and Management
The food estate program is divided into several stages.
1. Initial Preparation is 500 Hectares
According to Jokowi, Papua Province had about 10,000 hectares of land prepped for corn husks. On this occasion, the President also stated that 2,500 additional hectares of land will be ready for processing by next year in addition to the 500 hectares already prepared this year.
According to the president, the first harvest from the planting that took place today should be realized in June. Because the terrain’s contours are flat, the President believes the Papua area is ideal for growing corn.
2. Corn Harvesting Period and a Clear Corn Marketing System
But, due to the differing ground contour, according to Jokowi, planting does not immediately yield 10 to 11 tons as it does in Java.
Jokowi also mentioned during the initial corn sowing that the first harvest might only yield 4 to 5 tons. It is adequate. The amount can rise to 6 tons for the second crop. Often following, the new three are in a favorable position.
Jokowi also requested that the Regent of Keerom create a clear corn marketing strategy. He demanded details about who purchased it, how it was used, how it looked following harvest, and how much it cost. Jokowi requested to attempt 100 hectares initially so farmers won’t sustain losses after the harvest.
Papuan Corn Only to Fulfill The Needs Of The Papuan People
The President stated that Papua still needs more corn to meet its animal feed needs, including laying hens, broilers, pigs, and cattle. In order to meet the need for animal feed in Papua, the President is pressing for the best possible use of the revenues from the supply of corn in the food estate.
The total production capacity is 70,000 tons when the land’s carrying capacity is 10,000 hectares, and the harvest is 7 tons per hectare. Because sending the product to Java is expensive, it must be used in Papua and West Papua.
The government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, is supporting the land until it is successful, including a crop marketing system, according to Keerom Regent Peter Gusbager.
Peter explained that they had discussed the marketing pattern:
- The first 500 hectares would be part of the community
- The 2,500 hectares next year would cooperate with the private sector. This program will take place with gradual planting up to a total of 3,000 hectares until next year.
The Regent urged people to support the government’s initiative wholeheartedly. The Keerom Regency Government will hire professionals to teach farmers how to manage corn, starting with preparing the ground, seeding, planting, upkeep, pest management, and post-harvest.
The President’s visit to Keerom district is the first after being postponed a few months ago. The community looked enthusiastic. In fact, some of them had been waiting since 07.00 WIT until the afternoon President Jokowi arrived at the location.
One of the residents of Keerom who has been waiting since morning is Helena. She acknowledged that she was relieved to meet President Jokowi in person finally and that having the President visit their region for the first time had helped her feel less exhausted.
Accompanying the President in this activity were some ministers and Presidential Staff, including Prabowo Subianto, Syahrul Yasin Limpo, Bahlil Lahadalia, Moeldoko, Yudo Margono, Listyo Sigit Prabowo. Also attended was Muhammad Ridwan Ruusukun, the Acting Governor of Papua, and Piter Gusbager as Keerom Regent.
