JAYAPURA – The Papua Provincial Government, through the Office of Food Crops, Horticulture, and Food, is encouraging farmers in Papua to adopt innovative and modern agricultural practices.

By increasing agricultural production, food availability for the people of Papua can be better secured.

“Increasing agricultural output will also contribute to Local Revenue of Papua Province (PAD),” said Acting Head of the Office of Food Crops, Horticulture, and Food, Lunanka V.M.L. Daimboa.

She explained that higher agricultural production can improve farmers’ exchange rates, thereby enhancing their welfare. To boost Local Revenue, the Office is expanding seed production for both food crops and horticultural commodities.

This initiative also supports President Prabowo’s Asta Cita program, which aims to achieve national food self-sufficiency. Through its seed-producing technical units (UPTD), the Office of Food Crops aims to contribute directly to increasing local revenue in Papua.

The seeds will later be distributed to other provinces in Papua, including Central Papua, South Papua, Highland Papua, and West Papua.

“By producing more seeds, we are expanding our own Local Revenue sources. We no longer need to import seeds from outside Papua because we already have seeds adapted to the local climate,” Daimboa said.

She expressed hope that Papuan farmers will achieve greater prosperity through higher productivity, fairer market access, and stable price support—so that agriculture can serve as a primary source of income for farming families. ***