JAYAPURA - Head of the Agriculture and Food Service of Papua Province, Samuel Siriwa stated that he is focusing on maintaining the stability of chili and onion prices in his region. Although it has not increased significantly, it has deployed staff to monitor and anticipate.

"The price of chili and onion are now starting to increase. That's why we continue to monitor in order to maintain stocks and prices, so inflation in Papua does not increase too much," said Semuel, at an expose the performance of SKPD in the Papua Provincial Government, Tuesday (2/8/2022), at the Hall of the Papua Communication and Information Department, Jayapura City.

Meanwhile, by maintaining the price stability of the two staples, he hopes that ahead of the religious holiday in December 2022, the stock of commodities will still remain affordable and available.

Regarding the impact in the dry season, Semuel stated that until now the production of staples has not been disturbed at all.

This is because Papua Province has an unexpected season, even though it is in the dry season, in some regions it still experiences rain.

"Papua is different from areas that experience a dry season such as on the islands of Java and West Nusa Tenggara (NTB)" 

"Like in the mountainous region, it enters the rainy season, so the vegetables continue to produce well. Then in coastal areas such as in Merauke where previously the farmers had harvested. There are only a few areas in Lanny Jaya experiencing the threat of frost. But it is not a drought," he said. ***