JAYAPURA - Acting Papua Governor Muhammad Ridwan Rumasukun together with his ranks harvested chili in a one-hectare yard, in Arso 9, Intaimelyan Village, Skamto District, Keerom Regency, Tuesday (20/2/2024).

Governor Ridwan was accompanied by the Chairman of the Empowerment and Family Welfare of Papua, Linda Onibala along with the Head of the Regional Apparatus Organization and representatives of Keerom Regency Government.

On this occasion, the Governor appreciated the Empowerment and Family Welfare and the Papua Agriculture Office for fostering local farmers, so that they could harvest one of the 10 hectares of field.

"It's a great harvest, and hopefully it can make the price (of chili) in that market relatively stable," said Governor Ridwan.

His party will also hand over the assistance of water pumps to make it easier for farmers to water plants. Including encouraging subsidies for farmers.

"In essence, complaints from farmers such as subsidies for the purchase of chili (will be noticed). For example, if from Keerom the purchase price is IDR 25 thousand per kg, then it turns out that it is sold at IDR 100 thousand per kg in the market, then the Papua Provincial Government will buy it for between IDR 35 thousand to IDR 45 thousand "

"Then from Keerom we immediately bring it to the market so that the price of chili can be stable in the market. It will break the distribution chain, so the prices can be reached," he explained.

The Chairman of Papua Empowerment and Family Welfare, Linda Onibala said the chili plants harvested this time were a collaboration between her organization and the agriculture office. Which, this program is one of the steps to help the government reduce inflation.

So, it plans to encourage the provision of chili seeds in 8 districts and 1 city in the chili planting program in the yard of the house.

"Now, we are still focusing on Keerom Regency first, especially in Arso 9, then Arso 10 and 13."

"There are about 20 hectares of chili that we have planted for supplies in Ramadan. So chili stocks until Ramadan are guaranteed to be safe," said Linda.

Head of the Papua Agriculture Office Semuel Siriwa ensured that the total plantation development was planted with large/curly chilies and was fostered by Papua Empowerment and Family Welfare in collaboration with his agency, amounting to a total of 21 hectares.

The total production is estimated at 95 tons of cayenne pepper and 70 tons of large chili. Meanwhile, the obstacles faced by farmers today are the lack of business capital in terms of purchasing fertilizers and other supporting things.

"They lack disinfectant tools for land management. There is no water pump for watering in this hot weather," she said.

However, chili conditions are estimated to last between May and June 2024 with relatively stable prices. So the stocks are ensured to be safe for chili commodities.

In addition to harvesting, the Acting Governor of Papua and the ranks also planted chilies around the garden where the harvest took place. ***