President Prabowo Subianto visited Wanam Village, Merauke Regency, South Papua Province, on Sunday, November 3, 2024, in order to directly review the development of sustainable agriculture programs. During this visit, President Prabowo saw the preparation of a rice demonstration plot to increase food productivity in eastern Indonesia.
Also accompanying President Prabowo during this review were Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman, Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, Head of BIN Muhammad Herindra, TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto, and Acting Governor of South Papua Rudy Sufahriadi.
Upon arrival at the location, President Prabowo immediately headed to the demonstration land used to practice the latest rice cultivation techniques. There, the Head of State witnessed how farmers carefully prepared the land to be optimal for the next planting season. This rice demonstration plot is expected to be a model for local farmers, with agricultural techniques that can increase yields and rice quality.
In addition, President Prabowo also witnessed firsthand the process of land cultivation and spreading dolomite, an important step to increase soil fertility. Farmers were seen spreading dolomite on the land, a natural material that is useful for neutralizing soil acidity, improving soil structure, and increasing the availability of nutrients.
Head of the Ministry of Agriculture’s Food Security Task Force, Major General TNI Ahmad Rizal Ramdhani in a separate statement said that the rice field printing program carried out in Wanam and its surroundings is part of a large-scale agricultural land development plan in Merauke. According to him, there are around 100 thousand hectares of agricultural land that will be printed, starting from Wanam to Muting, with a total target of 1 million hectares.
“What is in Wanam is a rice field printing program, starting in Merauke, in Wanam. Around Merauke there is also a plan for 100 thousand hectares, then later what we start from Wanam to Muting is around 1 million hectares,” said Maj. Gen. TNI Ahmad Rizal.
To support the program, the government will also build a number of supporting infrastructure in the form of a pier in Wanam and a 135-kilometer road from Wanam to Muting. This infrastructure will provide access for farmers to transport agricultural equipment and crops.
With flat and swampy land conditions, Merauke has an abundant supply of water which is very much needed by farmers. In addition, the land in this area is on average fertile with a layer of black soil reaching 15-30 cm, so it greatly supports the program to achieve food self-sufficiency from Merauke.
“In our opinion, this is very supportive and the program to achieve food self-sufficiency will be achieved from Merauke,” said Maj. Gen. TNI Ahmad Rizal.
Anang Fadhilah
