Agriculture minister grants Rp1.3 trillion aid to South Papua farmers

Merauke, South Papua (ANTARA) - Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman distributed agricultural assistance worth Rp1.3 trillion (US$70 million) in the 2026 fiscal year to strengthen agricultural modernization, increase productivity, and improve the welfare of farmers in South Papua.

"The total (agricultural sector) assistance for South Papua in 2026 is Rp1.3 trillion," he said at the rice field development and land optimization event covering 137,000 hectares in Waninggap Kai Village, Merauke District, South Papua, on Saturday (July 4).

The assistance was distributed to farmers through the local government as part of accelerating the development of modern, mechanized agriculture to strengthen food self-sufficiency and increase the competitiveness of the agricultural sector in the region.

The aid package includes 122 combine harvesters, 810 two-wheeled tractors, 477 four-wheeled tractors, 12 agricultural drones, and 1,188 water pumps to support cultivation.

Sulaiman informed that all of the agricultural equipment and machinery will function to manage hundreds of thousands of hectares of agricultural land in the region.

The government also distributed three million kilograms of fertilizer, 22,000 tons of fertilizer subsidies, 36,229 kilograms of pesticides, and 12 power thresher units to farmers.

Furthermore, the government provided coconut seeds and seedlings worth Rp12.2 billion (US$659 thousand) to strengthen the sustainable development of superior plantation commodities in South Papua.

The minister then expressed pride that local residents had mastered the operation of modern agricultural equipment, reflecting the successful development of Papua's agricultural workforce.

He considers the use of drones, rice transplanters, combine harvesters, and modern tractors demonstrates Merauke's agricultural technology on par with agricultural practices currently conducted in developed countries such as China, Japan, and the United States.

According to Sulaiman, the agriculture mechanization has increased Merauke's cropping index to two plantings per year, surpassing the national average of 1.6 to 1.7 times.

He also reminded stakeholders that the agricultural equipment and machinery assistance is a public asset that must be fully utilized to sustainably improve production, income, and farmer welfare in South Papua.

He noted that the program functions as a technology transfer initiative for South Papua's youth, enabling them to independently and sustainably use a wide range of modern agricultural equipment.

Related news: Govt modernises Papuan agriculture to strengthen food security

Related news: Indonesia's Merauke to get new airport, seaport in food security drive

Related news: Government committed to building Merauke as food barn

Translator: Muhammad Harianto, Resinta Sulistiyandari

Editor: Azis Kurmala

Copyright © ANTARA 2026