Prabowo Unveils Ambitious Agricultural Development Plan for Papua

Transforming Papua Selatan into a Major Agricultural Hub

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has announced plans to develop 1 million hectares of agricultural land in Papua Selatan. The ambitious project, announced during the KADIN Indonesia 2025 National Leadership Meeting in Jakarta, aims to transform the region into a major rice production center and potentially the world's food barn. Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaeman revealed that Prabowo's vision is to make Papua Selatan a key player in global food production.

Leveraging Technology for Agricultural Success

The development plan emphasizes the use of advanced agricultural technology to ensure the project's success. Minister Amran highlighted that the existing agricultural land in Merauke, which has already been developed, has shown significant productivity gains through technological intervention. Farmers in the area have reportedly achieved three harvests since Amran took charge, compared to only one harvest previously. This success is attributed to the implementation of modern farming techniques and technology.

Economic and Strategic Implications

If successfully implemented, the 1 million hectare development will make Papua Selatan's agricultural land larger than Arkansas' 500,000 hectares in the southern United States. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance Indonesia's food security and potentially position the country as a major agricultural exporter. The project also demonstrates Prabowo's commitment to developing eastern Indonesia and promoting regional economic growth through agricultural development.