In this regard, he affirmed that the government will accelerate the development of self-sufficiency zones for food, energy, and water in Wanam, Merauke District, South Papua, which will become centers of future food and energy security.
"This acceleration will make Merauke the driving force of national food, energy, and water self-sufficiency and open broad job opportunities for the community," he said while opening a meeting here on Tuesday.
He emphasized that the development of the food self-sufficiency zones is aimed at increasing the national food stocks.
According to him, the government needs more extensive land for production to meet domestic needs. Apart from that, the Free Nutritious Meals program also needs additional carbohydrate supply, thereby needing production land outside Java Island.
In addition to bolstering food sovereignty, the development of the zones is also expected to create new jobs in accordance with the directive of President Prabowo Subianto in the "8+4+5" economic stimulus program, which highlights the importance of job creation.
"The zones will not only ensure food availability, but also open up broad employment opportunities, improve the welfare of the community, and serve as a key foundation for a sovereign, strong, and prosperous Indonesia," Hasan remarked.
Earlier, on August 5, 2025, President Prabowo Subianto issued Presidential Instruction Number 14 of 2025 on the Acceleration of National Food, Energy, and Water Self-Sufficiency Zone Development.
In the instruction, ministries and agencies are urged to ensure integration in the development of supporting infrastructure, irrigation systems, energy networks, and agricultural processing facilities, among other things.
Some of the provinces targeted in the self-sufficiency zone development are South Papua, Central Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, and South Sumatra.
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Related news: Indonesia plans self-sufficiency zones for food, water and energy
Translator: Maria Cicilia, Raka Adji
Editor: Arie Novarina
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