INAUGURAL SUGARCANE PLANTING, PRESIDENT: GOVERNMENT FOCUSED ON STRENGTHENING FOOD SECURITY

Sermayam, July 23, 2024 – The President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo (Jokowi), accompanied by First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo, conducted the inaugural sugarcane planting at the plantation owned by PT Global Papua Abadi in Sermayam, Merauke, South Papua. The President stated that this initiative represents a strategic step in addressing the global food crisis triggered by extreme climate change.

“We are aware that the world is currently facing a food crisis due to climate change—prolonged heat, extended droughts, and heatwaves. Therefore, food self-sufficiency, food security, and food sovereignty must be our priority,” the President said in a statement to the media following the event.
The President also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting sustainable initiatives in agriculture and environmental management. He emphasized that not only the current administration but also the president-elect, Prabowo Subianto, will continue to prioritize the food and energy sectors.
“This area has been tested before, not just once or twice, but without success. However, based on what I have observed now—from tissue culture nurseries to the planting of various varieties—the results are visible and scientifically proven,” the President remarked.
During the visit, the President also reviewed several of the company’s facilities and infrastructure, including the tissue culture laboratory, sugarcane nurseries, plantation areas, and conservation plant nurseries. He expressed optimism about transforming Indonesia into a food production hub in Merauke and its surrounding regions, with strong potential for rice, corn, and sugarcane production for both sugar and bioethanol.
“Looking at the land here, it is flat and has abundant water resources. I am confident there is significant potential to develop Indonesia as a food barn in Merauke and the surrounding areas,” the President said.
President Jokowi also welcomed the company’s commitment to implementing sustainable environmental initiatives, such as developing nurseries for endemic Papuan plants to support forest rehabilitation.
“This way, we can achieve food production, green energy, and forest preservation simultaneously,” the President added.
Also accompanying the President and the First Lady during the visit were Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Bahlil Lahadalia, Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman, Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian, Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan, Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces Agus Subiyanto, Acting Governor of South Papua Apolo Safanlo, and Regent of Merauke Romanus Mbaraka.

Source: Cabinet Secretariat of the Republic of Indonesia