Jakarta (ANTARA) - Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo said developing the Wanam National Food, Energy, and Water Production Center Area (KSPEAN) in Merauke District, South Papua, was part of efforts to open a new food barn.
"President Prabowo Subianto's vision is that we must have food reserves. Global conditions with various uncertainties mean we must pursue sustainability. Therefore, areas like Wanam must be prepared," Hanggodo said in a statement here on Monday.
He affirmed that the President's step to develop Wanam is very appropriate, as it is one of the efforts to open a new food barn area to strengthen national food security.
Amid uncertain global conditions, Indonesia needs food reserves and sustainable production sources, he said.
In geographic terms, Indonesia is a very vast archipelagic country, about the size of 20-30 countries in Europe. Stretching from Sabang to Merauke, and from Miangas to Rote, it has differing climate conditions and water management challenges across regions.
At the same time, some regions can experience drought and water crises, while others face floods, and still others are in normal conditions.
To support national food needs, Prabowo has pushed for even development of food self-sufficiency centers, including outside Java, one of which is the development of the Wanam area in South Papua.
As background, the Public Works Ministry continues to strengthen infrastructure in the area centered in Wanam, Merauke.
Hanggodo stressed that infrastructure development in the area must provide direct benefits to farmers, especially by reducing production costs so that yields can be more optimal.
Strategic infrastructure development, from irrigation networks and flood control to roads, continues to show positive progress to support higher agricultural productivity and farmers' welfare, he added.
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Translator: Aji, Kenzu
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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