If it (the corn) is sent to (be sold in) Java, the (transport) cost is quite expensive, thus it should be absorbed (by the off-takers) in the land of Papua — Papua and West Papua (provinces).
Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has said that the government is preparing a 10 thousand hectare corn plantation in Keerom District, Papua Province, as a food estate, which will also help fulfill the demand for animal feed.

He made the statement while visiting a plantation area on Tuesday, according to a statement issued the same day.

“So far, we have conducted land clearing, however, only about 500 hectares of the (10 thousand hectares of) land has been plowed; next year, it (the plowed area) will be expanded to 2,500 hectares. Meanwhile, currently, 100 hectares of the land has been planted," he informed.

The President noted that the area is suitable for corn plantation because it has a flat landscape.

He said he expected the first yield of the plantation to reach four to five tons per hectare and the second yield to reach six tons per hectare.

He projected that the first harvest of the plantation will be conducted in June 2023. Furthermore, he expressed the hope that the production of the food estate will keep increasing.

Widodo also emphasized the importance of preparing the off-takers of corn production so that the commodity can be absorbed well.

He asked Agriculture Minister Syahrul Yasin Limpo and Keerom District Head Piter Gusbager to ensure that the post-harvest processing of the commodity is carried out well and the selling prices are profitable for farmers.

The President also noted that the supply of corn for animal feed in Papua is still inadequate.

Hence, he urged local stakeholders to absorb the corn produced on the food estate optimally to meet the demand for animal feed.

"If it (the corn) is sent to (be sold in) Java, the (transport) cost is quite expensive, thus it should be absorbed (by the off-takers) in the land of Papua — Papua and West Papua (provinces)," he added.

In addition to Limpo and Gusbager, the president was also accompanied by Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto; Investment Minister Bahlil Lahadalia; Chief of the Presidential Staff Office Moeldoko; Indonesia Defense Forces (TNI) Commander Admiral Yudo Margono; National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo; and acting Governor of Papua Muhammad Ridwan Ruusukun.

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Translator: Mentari Gayati, Uyu Liman
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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