Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — The Indonesian government has allocated 481,000 hectares of forest land in South Papua province to support a national program aimed at accelerating food and energy self-sufficiency.
The site, located within the Wanam National Strategic Project (PSN) in Ilwayab district, Merauke regency, has already entered the development stage, Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan said Monday.
“The government is strengthening the governance of this food self-sufficiency zone by ensuring that every step we take is done properly,” Zulhas said after chairing a coordination meeting on the program.
He stressed that environmental safeguards remain a priority, including spatial planning, business-use permits (HGU), and administrative compliance to ensure long-term sustainability.
“The program was prepared by ensuring the site keep stand on principles of empowerment, wisdom, and sustainability,” he added.
The Wanam project is expected to boost national food and energy resilience through large-scale rice field development to increase domestic rice production. In addition, the government plans to build ethanol and biodiesel (B50) facilities in the area, using sugarcane and cassava for ethanol and a palm oil blend for biodiesel.
Authorities also plan to establish a propellant plant, producing chemicals used to generate gas pressure for firearms and rocket launch systems.
“This program will open pathways toward food, energy, and water self-sufficiency. It is a massive undertaking that requires continuous coordination between ministries and regional governments,” Zulkifli said.
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Agrarian and Spatial Planning Minister Nusron Wahid confirmed that the government has released 474,000 hectares of land from forest status within the Wanam PSN area, with 451,000 hectares already mapped under official land parcel documents.
“The land is state-owned forest land with no settlements, so there was no need for land acquisition procedures,” Nusron explained.
Of the total, 1,140 hectares will be allocated for port construction and worker housing, 263,000 hectares for rice fields, and 146,000 hectares for oil palm plantations, he said. Nusron, however, did not provide details on the project’s current progress, noting that implementation falls under the Public Works Ministry.
(Raidi/Agung)
