Jokowi Orders Technology Intervention To Central Papua Regarding Umbis So That They Can Be For Food Stock

Umbi-umbian types of sweet potatoes are harvested by the community in one of the distik in Jayawijaya Papua. (Between-Marius Frisson Y)

JAKARTA - The government is preparing the people of Central Papua to be able to build food security through tubers' commodities and technology interventions at an appropriate cost.

Three districts in Central Papua, namely Lambewi, Agandugume and Oneri Districts, are known to be affected by drought and hunger as of July-August 2023.

"According to President Joko Widodo's direction, later in the long term we will make appropriate technology transfers to further increase the added value of local food, especially the tubers," said Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy after attending a meeting at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, Thursday, August 10, which was confiscated by Antara.

The Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture explained that President Jokowi ordered technology intervention to be appropriate as a long-term solution so that the production of tubers in Central Papua as a staple food for the community could be stored or used as stock.

He explained that the hunger that occurred in Central Papua caused six people to die was caused by food security being disrupted.

Due to extreme weather that has an impact on drought and very cold temperatures in the region, food crops are damaged and crop failure.

The Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture has also asked the Presidential Special Staff for Economic Affairs Arif Budimanta and the Chancellor of IPB to be able to determine the appropriate technology that can be applied for food security in Central Papua, as well as tuber varieties that can be planted and withstand the anomaly season.

"Because of that season, the weather rots and then it becomes a problem. If there is a touch of technology that is appropriate, it is hoped that it can stock and build food security for him," said the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture.

In addition to technology transfer, the medium-term solution prepared by the government in overcoming hunger is to build a food deviation warehouse in Agandugume District.

The government will also extend the runway of Agandugume Airport so that large aircraft can land and facilitate the distribution of logistical assistance.