Merauke, South Papua— An important milestone in the history of agriculture in the eastern region of Indonesia is officially recorded. For the first time, printed rice fields in Wanam Village, Ilwayab District, Merauke Regency, South Papua, successfully carried out the first harvest on Friday (5/16/2025). This success became a symbol of the beginning of the emergence of Papuan agriculture, as well as paving the way for food self-sufficiency from the easternmost part of the archipelago.
The first harvest was carried out on an area of 4 hectares with quite encouraging results, namely around 2.5 to 2.8 tons of dry grain per hectare. Although planting is still carried out with a hambur system, the potential for future results is predicted to increase along with the plan to implement the legowo row planting system, more scheduled fertilization, and maintenance based on modern agricultural technology.
Interestingly, the grain harvested this time is not only used as a consumption material, but will be used as a source seed. This is because the rice produced has been naturally adapted to the soil conditions and climate typical of the tidal swamp land in Wanam. The local seeds will later become the base for the development of new agricultural land in the surrounding area, making Wanam the center of local superior seeds.
This achievement cannot be separated from multi-party cooperation and the right technical approach, starting from soil cultivation in accordance with swamp characteristics, the utilization of superior varieties, to careful water management. The rice variety used is Inpara 2, a superior variety for swamp land released by the Ministry of Agriculture. This variety has a yield potential of up to 6,08 tons per hectare if managed optimally.
This harvest is also proof that with a technological approach and siding with local farmers, South Papua can become a national food production center. In the future, this success is expected to be replicated in various other potential swamp areas in Merauke and its surroundings.
The local government together with related stakeholders is committed to continue developing the agricultural sector as a pillar of South Papua’s food security, with a focus on innovation, farmer assistance, and the sustainability of an environmentally friendly production system.
With this first harvest, the hope of food self-sufficiency from Papua is no longer just a discourse, but a real step that has begun to be taken from Wanam—a small village with great potential for national food security.
