Rice is a basic need for everyone. So, the government, with all parties, must really think about it for the well-being of society. Rice is the prime need in Indonesia, including some people in Papua, even though most still consume sago as their prime meal. The problem is, is there enough rice supply for Papua and West Papua today?
Why focus on those two provinces? Here is the explanation. Be sure you read the whole article to get the complete outlook.
27.000 Tons of Rice Supplies are Available for Papua and West Papua
According to Raden Guna Dharma, the Head of Perum Bulog (Bureau of Logistics), society does not have to worry. It is because, for the next 4 months, rice supply will be abundantly available.
He said that Bulog distributes as much as 7.000 tons every month to fulfill society’s food needs. Bulog always meets the target by supplying enough food at a make-sense price.
Since January 1, 2023, his team has been massively doing market checking so that the price will not be too high for consumers. He said that is how his party increases food resilience by the source of domestic production.
Guna Dharma also stated his appreciation for the contribution of the regional government. He appreciated the effort in maintaining the rice price so that the rice price would still be reachable.
He thanked everyone for their great spirit and requested to leave 100 ha for him and the government officials. They would show their willingness to get the yields together with all parties.
He added, Bulog would also support the regional government by distributing enough rice supplies, oil, and flour. Although the availability of rice is enough for 4 months ahead, he hopes there will be safety and comfort by not increasing the price. Guna Dharma hopes there are still good supplies and a good price for rice as well.
Related to the food resilience by the domestic product, Irjen Pol. Daniel Tahi Monang Silitonga fully supported the West Papua local rice production.
He attended the yields ceremony led by the Governor of West Papua, Komjen Pol. Purn. Drs. Paulus Waterpauw, M.Si. Considering a prediction said that there will be an economic crisis in 2023, he appreciated the society and government deeply for their involvement.
Presiden Jokowi Suggests the Increasing Agriculture Production in West Papua
This is surely a great motivation and a huge thing to consider by the farmers together with the government. The message from the President of Indonesia, Mr. Jokowi, is to increase the production capacity.
He said that in order to increase the production capacity, Papua needs to change the plantation system from once a year to twice or three times a year. This way, Pak Jokowi said, Papua can fulfill its primary food needs.
Moreover, The president said East Indonesia has a wide agricultural land, but not yet optimized. Only 33% of 11 ha of farming soil is productive. Certainly, the numbers show a lack of cultivating activity in order to fulfill society’s need for food resilience.
Evidently, Pak Jokowi also asked the Minister of Agriculture as well as the local government, and the millennial farmers to maximize the agricultural land and increase the production capacity.
Furthermore, Mr. President added 800 trained farmers who hopefully can maintain food resilience in West Papua. The target of trained farmers is 2000 people. He hoped that it would soon reach the goal.
So, speaking of rice supply for Papua and West Papua, farmers, the government, and all parties involved should make more effort to achieve what Mr. President expects along the way, not just for the next 4 months.
